Soldier Honored: Kevin A. Houston,

Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Kevin A. Houston, 35, of West Hyannisport, Massachusetts, was assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team serving under Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On August 6, 2001, CPO Houston was one of 30 servicemembers, including members of SEAL Team Six, who were killed when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in the Wardak province of Afghanistan.

CPO Houston attended Barnstable High School, where his friends thought he was as close to invincible as people come.  CPO Houston broke his back in a motorcycle accident as a senior in high school. He still attended graduation in a wheelchair and walked across the stage to accept his diploma in 1994.  He enlisted in January 1995 and became a SEAL in May 1999. He reported to Naval Special Warfare Group Two in December 2005. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in January 2008. During his career, CPO Houston received numerous awards and medals including two Bronze Stars with ‘V’ for valor, a Purple Heart, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor, a Presidential Unit Citation, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Rifle Marksmanship Medal and a Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

“He made people feel safe and good and you just wanted to be around him; just a magnanimous personality, never arrogant, just confident,” says a friend. At the time of his passing, CPO Houston left behind his wife and three children.

Two of the Houston children are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.