Assembly Resolution No. 35

BY: M. of A. Bronson

MOURNING the death of Chief Warrant Officers
Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and Daniel Prial,
distinguished citizens and devoted members of their
communities

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body, representing the people of the State of New York, is
moved this day to pay tribute to Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda,
Christian Koch and Daniel Prial; and

WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch and
Daniel Prial were killed in an aircraft crash during a military training
exercise on Wednesday, January 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Rochester, New York, Chief Warrant Officer
Steven Skoda, age 54, was a 35-year veteran of the United States Army
and the Army National Guard; he served in the Afghanistan War in two
deployments, 2013 and 2019; and

WHEREAS, For his admirable service, Chief Warrant Officer Steven
Skoda was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, a Meritorious Unit
Citation, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Department of State
Superior Honor Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Master Army Aviator
Badge, Air Assault Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation; and

WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Skoda was a friend and mentor
to all the soldiers in his unit, supporting the training and career
progressions of hundreds of aircrews throughout his career; and

WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch, age 39, a resident of
Honeoye Falls, New York, was a 20-year veteran of the National Guard, as
well as a pilot with the New York State Police aviation unit; and

WHEREAS, A veteran of the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War, Chief
Warrant Officer Christian Koch's awards include the Air Medal, Army
Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service
Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Forces
Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Citation, the Non-Commissioned Officer
Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve
Overseas Training Ribbon, an Army Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviator
Badge, Air Assault Badge, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Christian Koch will be remembered for
his motivation and infectious personality, two outstanding qualities
which made him a great soldier, leader and father; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Rochester, New York, Chief Warrant Officer
Daniel Prial, age 30, was a member of the National Guard for one year; a
West Point Military Academy graduate, he served in the United States
Army since 2012; and


WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial was the recipient of
numerous awards, including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army
Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Global
War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, and the Army
Aviator Badge; and

WHEREAS, Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Prial will be remembered for
having the ability to fit in quickly and make an immediate impact on new
groups; and

WHEREAS, All three soldiers embodied what our country stands for and
were leaders and mentors in both their jobs and in their communities;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body mourns the loss of three of our New
York Army National Guards, all members of the C Company of the 1st
Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion; they bravely served
the United States and this great Empire State, and lost their lives
defending our freedoms; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda, Christian Koch
and Daniel Prial, and to express its deepest condolences to their
families; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the families of Chief Warrant Officers Steven Skoda,
Christian Koch and Daniel Prial.