Sergeant Tyler M. Shelton was born on September 26, 1998, and was a native of San Bernardino, California. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 2016 and trained as a 15T UH-60 Black Hawk repairer.
After Advanced Individual Training, Tyler was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), the Night Stalkers, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in 2017 he completed the regiment’s demanding Enlisted Combat Skills course, known as Green Platoon. He spent eight months as an MH-60M repairer in Foxtrot Company, 1st Battalion, and in 2018 was selected for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, as a crew chief on the MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator. His training included Combatives Level 1, the MH-60 Maintainers Course, SERE School, the MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course and the Basic Leaders Course.
With the 160th, Tyler deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. In a short career he flew more than 500 hours in the MH-60M, including 200 hours under night-vision goggles. His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Basic Aviation Badge.
On August 27, 2020, Tyler was killed when his MH-60 crashed during aviation training on San Clemente Island, California. Staff Sergeant Vincent Marketta, an MVF honoree in 2024, also died, and three other soldiers were injured. Tyler was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with “C” device.
“The loss of Staff Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this Regiment that will never completely heal,” said Colonel Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th. “Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier.”
Tyler is survived by his wife, Alex; his father and stepmother, Michael and Tamara; his brother, Hunter; and his mother, Misty.
Tyler flew over 500 combat and tactical hours in the MH-60M DAP, living out the Night Stalker Creed with unwavering precision and courage.
160th SOAR (A) Command
Sources
- U.S. Army (USASOC): Two Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Aircraft Mishap
- Los Angeles Times: Soldiers ID’d in fatal Black Hawk crash on San Clemente Island
- Night Stalker Foundation memorials
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Tyler Shelton bio
