RED LION, Pa. (WHTM) -
An airman from York County was one of the 30 U.S. Troops who died in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan over the weekend.
Daniel Zerbe, 28, was a 2001 graduate of Red Lion High School, where he was a member of the varsity club and the football, wrestling and weightlifting teams.
U.S. officials said the troops were on a mission targeting a Taliban leader when an insurgent with a rocket-propelled grenade reportedly fired on the chopper and shot it down.
The Chinook helicopter was transporting the troops to an ongoing battle early Saturday between coalition forces and insurgents in eastern Wardak province, NATO said in a statement.
It was deadliest single loss for U.S. forces in the decade-long war.
Zerbe's friend, Mike Vogel, said that while in high school the two spoke of enlisting after graduation. Vogel opted for the Marines while Zerbe signed up for the Air Force.
Vogel said he received news of his friend's death on Saturday night after initial news reports.
"I heard about the incident. I just didn't realize he was one of the soldiers onboard," Vogel said. "It hurt, I mean it definitely hit home really bad."
When asked what he wanted the midstate to know about Zerbe, Vogel called his friend an "absolute hero."
"Definitely one of the bravest guys, you know, always bragging about what they did," he said. "He was so proud he was serving his country."
Red Lion Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Deisley released a statement that said the district is saddened by Zerbe's death.
"Dan wanted to make a difference in the world, so he joined the military," Deisley said in the statement. "Dan Zerbe was a true American hero. The Red Lion Area School District is proud of Dan. He will be sadly missed by all. Our thoughts and hearts are with his family."
Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Petty Officer First Class Michael Strange, a 25-year-old Navy SEAL from northeast Philadelphia, also died in the attack.
Daniel Zerbe (Yearbook photo)
