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Mission BBQ Co-Founder’s Son Among Four Killed In Army Helicopter Crash

September 23, 2025

CW3 Andrew Cully, CW3 Andrew Kraus, Sgt. Jadalyn Good and
Sgt. Donavon Scott. Image: @SecArmy/X

On Monday, the U.S. Army identified four soldiers killed in a helicopter crash on September 17th. The crash occurred near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state at approximately 9 p.m. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The elite team, known as the “Night Stalkers,” conducts nighttime missions.

The Army Times reports the four soldiers are: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Cully, 35, from Sparta, Missouri; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Kraus, 39, from Sanibel, Florida; Sgt. Donavon Scott, 25, from Tacoma, Washington, and Sgt. Jadalyn Good, 23, from Mount Vernon, Washington.

“These exceptional warriors … embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations,” Col. Stephen Smith said in an Army release. “These heroes were not only elite professionals but also cherished teammates, friends, and family members whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.”

Secretary of the Army Hon. Dan Driscoll shared, “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the loss of four brave Soldiers from the 160th SOAR (A) in the Sept. 17 aircraft mishap near Joint Base Lewis-McChord: CW3 Andrew Cully, CW3 Andrew Kraus,
Sgt. Donavon Scott, and Sgt. Jadalyn Good.”

“These Soldiers embodied courage, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. Their loss is deeply felt across the Special Operations community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and teammates.”

“We are grateful to the first responders and recovery teams. The legacy of these Night Stalkers will forever live on. Night Stalkers Don’t Quit.”

These Soldiers embodied courage,… pic.twitter.com/KFtWiiUUFm

Cvillerightnow reports that Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kraus was the son of Mission BBQ co-founder Bill Kraus.

Bill Kraus and Steve Newton founded Mission BBQ in 2011, opening their first location on Sept. 11 that year. Beyond barbecue, the company focuses on honoring U.S. service people. It has a long record of donating to charities that support the military and first responders.

Mission BBQ is now a national chain and has 22 locations in Virginia, including one on Lenox Ave. in Charlottesville.

Franklin Graham shared, “Our deepest sympathy to @MissionBBQ co-founder Bill Kraus and the entire family. His 39-year-old son Andrew was one of the four U.S. Army soldiers killed in a helicopter crash during a training mission in Washington State on Wednesday.”

“I have met Bill and I appreciate this family so much—their love for this country and our military is so evident. Every day at noon in all of their restaurants, the kitchen stops, the cash register stops, and all the customers stand at attention with the staff to sing the National Anthem.”

“Will you join with me in praying for this family and the loved ones of the three other service members killed in this tragic accident?”

Vice President JD Vance shared his condolences.

At noon every day, each location stops all activity to sing the National Anthem.

 

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