By executive order of Gov. Brian Kemp, flags will fly at half-staff on Monday, Feb. 17, throughout the State of Georgia in honor of and to recognize the passing of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara of Lilburn, Georgia, who died in a tragic mid-air flight collision near Washington, D.C.

According to Gov. Kemp’s executive order, SSG O’Hara served our nation in the U.S. Army as a UH-60 Blackhawk Crew Chief and Non-Rated Flight Instructor. He paid the ultimate sacrifice during a routine training mission while performing crew duties when his UH-60 Blackhawk crew crashed. There were unfortunately no survivors.

SSG O’Hara’s awards and decorations include the Senior Aviation Badge, Aircraft Crewmember Standardization Instructor, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device for combat, NATO Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Forsyth County honors the memory of SSG O’Hara, his crewmembers, and those who died on American Airlines Flight 5342. Our thoughts are with their families.