Poling, William Compton Jr

First Lieutenant William Compton Poling Jr. was a 42-year-old Army officer from Rockville, Maryland. He served as an active-duty soldier with Company F, 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Poling was killed on December 28, 2011, when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training flight near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. The Department of Defense stated the crash occurred in a remote, wooded area. All four crew members on board were killed.

Poling's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The 101st Airborne Division, including its aviation units, conducted extensive operations in Afghanistan throughout the conflict.

Following the crash, the Army launched an investigation into its cause. Poling and the other three soldiers killed were honored in a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Their names were added to the base's memorial wall.

Poling is remembered on the Army's casualty list for Operation Enduring Freedom and by veterans' memorial organizations. His unit, the 101st Airborne Division, continued its deployment cycle in Afghanistan following the incident.

First Lieutenant Poling was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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