Army Major Stephen C. Reich was born on May 22, 1971, in Solon, Ohio, and was raised in Washington Depot, Connecticut. Growing up in a supportive family alongside his sisters, Stephen displayed extraordinary athletic talent and a competitive spirit from a young age. At Shepaug Valley School, he became a celebrated athlete, leading his baseball team to a state championship and distinguishing himself as a standout pitcher whose performance earned him All‑State honors and deep admiration. His high school achievements foreshadowed a lifetime of excellence in both athletics and service.

Upon graduating in 1989, Stephen received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he combined academic rigor with athletic excellence. At West Point he starred on the Army baseball team, setting the all‑time program record for most pitching wins and earning national recognition. In 1993, he was named to the U.S. Team at the World University Games, where he carried the American flag and competed internationally. His athletic success led to a brief professional baseball career when he was drafted and played in the Baltimore Orioles organization, but his commitment to service pulled him back to the Army.

After graduating from West Point in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree and receiving his commission in the Army Aviation Branch, Stephen pursued helicopter pilot training and became a highly skilled aviator. He completed the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Initial Entry Rotary Wing training, transitioning into flight roles that required precision, leadership, and calm under pressure. Over his career, he qualified to fly multiple Army rotary‑wing aircraft and served in numerous assignments that broadened his experience and impact.

Major Reich’s Army service was both varied and distinguished. Early assignments saw him serving in Europe, where he participated in operations during Operation Allied Force, deploying across Hungary, Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo. He continued to refine his leadership and aviation expertise in a series of increasingly responsible roles, including command positions within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), known for some of the Army’s most demanding aviation missions.

His commitment to service extended to four tours in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, where he operated in challenging environments and contributed to critical aviation missions. By 2005 he was a seasoned Major and commander within the 160th SOAR (Airborne), leading complex missions that required strategic planning, tactical precision, and deep trust among the special operations community.

On June 28, 2005, while leading a rescue operation in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, Major Reich’s MH‑47D Chinook helicopter was struck by enemy fire during an attempt to extract a besieged special operations team. He lost his life while serving, along with 15 of his fellow Soldiers, demonstrating his willingness to place himself at the forefront of danger in support of others. Maj. Reich was 34 years old.

Major Reich’s life was celebrated for both his personal character and his professional excellence. Known for his humility, kindness, and deep intellectual curiosity, he built powerful connections with teammates, Soldiers, and community members alike. Family, friends, and fellow Soldiers remembered him as a leader who led by example — on the field of competition, in the classroom, and in the cockpit of an aircraft. His magnetic personality helped forge lifelong friendships and inspired those around him to pursue excellence in both service and life.

He was deeply devoted to his wife, Jill Reich, and maintained strong ties with his parents, Raymond and Sue Reich, and his sisters, Megan and Annmarie. The values of honor, loyalty, and service that Stephen embodied were reflected in how he lived his life — shared with loved ones and honored by community remembrance events and civic awards established in his name.

Major Reich’s military decorations reflect his outstanding service and the high regard in which he was held. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Airborne and Air Assault Badges, and, posthumously, the Purple Heart, an Air Medal with Valor, and the Combat Action Badge — honors that commemorate his bravery, leadership, and sacrifice.

The legacy of Major Stephen C. Reich lives on in many forms: in the annual civic awards given in his honor, in the Shepaug Valley community that remembers him each Memorial Day, and in the Major Stephen Reich Team Room at West Point’s baseball facility, where his spirit of excellence and leadership inspires future generations of cadets.

Dates:
• Birth: May 22, 1971 — Solon, Ohio (raised in Washington, Connecticut)
• Angelversary: June 28, 2005 — Kunar Province, Afghanistan

Service & Achievements:
• United States Army Major, Aviation Branch
• 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
• Four tours of duty in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
• Former standout pitcher for Shepaug Valley High School and West Point baseball
• Served in European operations during Operation Allied Force
• Awards include Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Purple Heart, Air Medal with Valor, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, and others

Major Stephen C. Reich’s life exemplified courage, leadership, and lifelong dedication to service — a legacy that continues to resonate in Connecticut and across the nation.

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