Little Chute (WFRV) – A Little Chute soldier serving in Afghanistan was killed in a helicopter crash Monday.
26 year-old Nickolas Mueller was with the 160
th Special Operations Aviation Regiment out of Savannah, Georgia, also known as the ‘Nightstalkers.’
His parents tell Channel 5’s Jenna Sachs they received the news around midnight Tuesday, informing them he had died in the crash.
Sharon and Larry Mueller say their son was truly “one-of-a-kind” with an infectious smile. They say he always wanted to be a pilot, and as a child had pictures of planes all over his room.
Mueller joined the army after graduating from Little Chute High School in 2002. He served two years in South Korea, and was in the middle of his third deployment. His parents say he was honored to join the 160th.
At Little Chute High School, Mueller was involved in wrestling, football, and musicals. School staff says he was well-liked and always had a smile on his face. His classmates elected him their 2001 homecoming king.
“He was a pretty integral part of the high school during his tenure here,” said David Botz, Little Chute Superintendent. “When you lose someone from your immediate family, whether it’s high school or a community, it hits pretty hard.”
Botz says Mueller continued to visit the staff at Little Chute High School after his graduation.
“Very proud of his uniform. Very proud of his decision to be part of the military,” said Botz.
Mueller’s parents say he will be buried at Arlington Cemetery, as he wished. Little Chute High School hopes to create a memorial in his honor.
The Pentagon says the helicopter crashed while returning from a firefight with suspected Taliban drug traffickers. Ten Americans were killed. The Pentagon has not yet confirmed that Mueller was on board.
