EODTC Nicholas Heath Null

30, US Navy

Nicholas Heath Null

August 6 marks the anniversary of the passing of EODTC Nicholas Heath Null, 30. US Navy. We honor and remember him, his mother Tracey L. (Null) Litman, and his wife and children. 

Nick Null was born on March 30, 1981, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 20, 2000, and completed basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 2000. Null next attended Gunner's Mate A School at Great Lakes from December 2000 to May 2001, and then served with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 at Panama City, Florida, from May 2001 to September 2003. During this time he participated in combat operations in Iraq during the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Petty Officer Null next attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal training from September 2003 to September 2004, followed by service with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, from September 2004 to January 2009. During this time he again deployed to Iraq from January to May 2006, January to July 2007, and August to December 2008. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from February to July 2005, and January to June 2006, concurrently with one of his deployments to Iraq. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from January 2009 until he was killed in the crash of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter "Extortion 17" in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. 

On August 6, 2011, Null and thirty other American soldiers were responding as a Quick Reaction Force to assist a group of Army Rangers who were involved in a firefight with Taliban fighters. The call sign for their helicopter was Extortion 17 and the operation was set to take place in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. While responding to the area, a group of Taliban fighters were able to launch several rocket propelled grenades at the Chinook Helicopter the service members were on. One of those grenades struck one of the helicopter's blades killing everyone on board. The incident was repeatedly discussed in the media because of the overwhelming loss of American life and the fact that many of the men on the Extortion 17 mission were part of the Navy Seal Team who had recently killed Osama Bin Laden.

Chief Null received 2 Bronze Star Medals w/Valor Citations.

Nick Null was buried at Sunset Memory Gardens in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Tanya M. Null; sons, Hunter T. Null, Brett N. Null and Chase W. Null.

Let us always remember him, his family, and…

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