Captain Dustin R. Lukasiewicz served as a UH-1Y pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California. He was killed when his helicopter crashed in Nepal during Operation Sahayogi Haat. He was on a rescue mission, evacuating the critically injured following a devastating earthquake.

Dusty was an amazing husband and father. He loved flying, farming, and was working towards a master’s degree in political science. After he was killed, the University of Nebraska posthumously awarded him his degree. “It was a very special and proud moment for me to receive it on his behalf,” recalled his wife, Ashley Lukasiewicz.

Dusty was so incredibly grateful to help the people of Nepal after the earthquake of 2015 that had killed so many people. He saved many lives while he was there.