Capt. James T. Bellew, 26, was found deceased at the site of a helicopter crash involving two HH-60 helicopters at Wright Army Airfield at approximately 2 a.m. on March 30. The incident is under investigation by special agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), as is routine policy in any non-combat death of a soldier.
A safety investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is also investigating the incident. Bellew was a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, and entered the Army in 2017 as a medical service officer.
He became an Aeromedical Evacuation Officer in 2019 and has been assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division since March 2020. The sudden loss of one of their own has been felt across the brigade and the division.
“The loss of James is an immeasurable tragedy to his family, friends, crew and fellow soldiers,” said Col. Eric Vanek, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade commander. “James was a part of one of the noblest professions imaginable; he dedicated his life to serving our country and did so in a role where he was constantly helping, and saving the lives of others.”
Vanek said Bellew was the top platoon leader in his company and was an invaluable member of the team during the brigade’s missions. Bellew’s daily duties included important missions like medically evacuating critically ill COVID-19 patients to higher levels of care across the country and being a key member of the brigade’s 24/7 mission to provide medical evacuation support for soldiers and families at Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield and tenant units.
“The support we’ve received from across the Army and our Coastal Georgia community has been greatly appreciated already,” Vanek said. “While this ongoing investigation continues, we are focused on ensuring our soldiers have any resources they need, like chaplains and behavioral health, and that we are supporting the Bellew family.”
Bellew’s previous assignment was at Camp Casey, South Korea, as a Field Medical Assistant from September 2017 to September 2018. Bellew’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge and Army Aviator Badge.