CRATE, CASEY

Casey Crate was born on 05 June 1978 in Spanaway Washington, and was raised by his single mother Linda Crate. Casey graduated from Spanaway Lake High School in 1996. He was teased by cousins for being such an attentive son when he chopped wood for his mother to heat their home. The Christmas before he was killed, Casey scooped his mother off her chair, took her outside and plopped her in front of her gift: A brand-new Honda Civic. He said, “There you go, Mom, you've got a new car. That's from your little Sonny.” 

Casey attended Pierce College for two years after high school but didn't take his studies seriously. His mother then gave him four options: get his grades up to attend Washington State University, go to a trade school, flip burgers for a living for the rest of his life, or join the military. Casey opted for option four.  

SSgt Crate enlisted in the Air Force in 1998 and never regretted it. He initially enlisted to work in avionics, however, which he found uninteresting. He then applied to be a combat controller, an elite airman who sets up airfields and targets airstrikes in enemy territory. According to his mom, he was never able to say much about his special-operations work, but according to his commanders after his death. "They told me they used to call him the 'mission hound.' He always took responsibility". SSgt Crate was assigned to the 23 STS where he did combat tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. 

On 30 May, 2005 SSgt Crate was flying aboard a single-engine, prop-driven Comp Air 7SL piloted by an Iraqi Air Force member when it crashed. The plane went down near the village of Jalula, Iraq about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad. The aircraft’s primary mission is reconnaissance and airlifting personnel 

The 720th Special Tactics Group, on Hurlburt Field, dedicated a 50,000 square foot state-of-the-art advanced training center in honor of Sergeant Crate.  

Staff Sergeant Crate’s awards included the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terror Service Medal. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers SSgt Casey Crate for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.