John R. Priestner killed in helicopter crash

Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Priestner died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Iraq, according to an Army spokesman.

Priestner, 42, grew up in Pike Township and graduated from Northeast Bradford High School in 1982.

Stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., he was a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, according to GN4 Mark Dyment. Priestner's home was in Sanford, N.C. Dyment said the co-pilot gunner in the aircraft also was killed. He said it was most likely Priestner was piloting the helicopter at the time.

Dyment could not release further details on the incident, as an investigation is ongoing.

The officer noted he and Priestner had briefly served in the same unit. Priestner was a "very nice guy," Dyment said. He was "real easy to get along with ... very helpful."

Linda Priestner of LeRaysville, Priestner's sister-in-law, said John was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He had previously served in the Persian Gulf War, she noted.

He originally was in the Air Force, then later joined the Army Reserve, serving as a pilot.
"He loved it," she said. "He couldn't give up flying."

She explained John was involved with rescuing service people coming under fire. "His job was to pull them out, get them out alive."

Linda Priestner's husband is Roger Priestner, John's fraternal twin brother. John's wife is the former Theresa Lutz, also originally from the Northeast Bradford area, and he had two children, close in age to Roger and Linda's children.

"We're all devastated," she said.

"He was a real leader when you needed him."

Neither Linda Priestner nor Dyment knew the exact timetable for services.

"It was his wish to be buried in Arlington Cemetery," Dyment noted. "That's what we're working on right now."

The Daily Review