U.S. Army Raleigh Recruiting Battalion: Decorated Golden Knight Memorialized at Pope Airfield

Memorial for Golden Knights member Master Sgt. Corey Hood

Story and Photo by

Shahron L. James

Public Affairs Specialist

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

Today Master Sgt. Corey Keith Hood was honored in a memorial held on Pope Army Airfield at the Golden Knights Aviation Hangar.

Of those in attendance were Lindsay Hood, wife of Master Sgt. Hood, and Lt. Col. Matthew Weinrich, the Golden Knights' commander.

“I was hoping for clear skies today, but with the low ceiling and high winds I realize that this may have been the only way God could get Corey to attend his own memorial”, said Lt. Col. Weinrich.

Lt. Col. Weinrich presented remarks to the group of more than 200 in attendance. He spoke of the accomplishments of the team and informed them of the need to continue their mission as Army Ambassadors to the public.

“Today we orient our eyes toward the heavens and trust that God will continue to guard the Knights. We pray that God will continue to grant us wisdom and peace during this time”, he said.

Soldiers prepare for the 21 Gun Salaute

Amidst encouragement from the Golden Knights Chaplain and comments from fellow teammates and friends, there were occasional tears and smiles.

Donna Dixon, Public Affairs Chief for the Golden Knights said, “Things are going as well as they can be…it has been a hard week and a half."

In groups of two and three, members of the audience and Golden Knights teammates, went forward to honor Master Sgt. Hood.

Many attendees presented salutes and placed Airborne Badges (Jump Wings) at the base of the memorial.

Funeral ceremonies were held on August 22, 2015 at Lakota West High School’s football stadium. Master Sgt. Hood graduated from the high school in 2001.

After completing high school, Hood joined the Army as a 13F Forward Observer.

During his time in the Army, Master Sgt. Hood has been awarded two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

He served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

He graduated from the Golden Knights Assessment and Selection Program and joined the U.S. Army Parachute Teams as a “Golden Knight’ in October 2014. He began jumping in 2010 and has recorded more than 500 free fall jumps.

In closing, Lt. Col. Weinrich recited the last line of the Golden Knights Creed.

“The goal I pursue is simple, yet bears a responsibility I must discharge without reservation: when I have gained the respect, admiration, and gratitude of the American public and my teammates, then I have fulfilled my mission as a Golden Knight”, he said.