Crystal Lake Marine remembered for his hard work

High school friends and coaches of Capt. Nathan McHone say they were not at all surprised when the Crystal Lake native joined the Marine Corps after college.

Though the 2001 Crystal Lake South High School graduate never shared his ambitions to join the armed forces, friends said the Marines were a perfect fit.

“Based on his work ethic, he was such a hard worker, that was right up his alley,” said Ross Ryan, a former cross country team mate who now coaches wrestling and teaches health at the high school. “He was one of the hardest workers athletically and in the classroom. He was always doing what was he was supposed to do and always giving his best efforts.”

McHone, 29, was killed last week in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that also claimed the lives of five others from the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363. The Marines, who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, were killed Jan. 19 when their CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan.

The squadron, known as the Red Lions, were based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. McHone was commissioned to the Marines in September 2005 and joined the squadron in October 2009. This was his second deployment to Afghanistan.

The unit will hold a memorial service this week in Afghanistan, said 1st Lt. Diann M. Olson, a media officer at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

McHone’s personal awards include two Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal.

Daniel Beasley, was a squadron physician when McHone arrived in Hawaii. Beasley said McHone was a great pilot who worked just as hard on his ground job in administration.

“He really took care of his enlisted folks and made sure everyone was paid properly and made sure all of the young enlisted Marines received the awards they deserved,” said Beasley, who now lives in Virginia and kept in touch with McHone through Facebook. “He was very meticulous in his work.”

Bill Altmann, who was an assistant cross country coach, said McHone had the whole package.

“He embodied everything you want to see out of a student and an athlete,” said Altmann, the current Crystal Lake South football coach. “He was respectable, hardworking, intelligent and personable. But as talented as he was, he was just as hardworking.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.