Soldier's family shares memories

KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) - Leslie Groves fights back tears as she talks about her son, Chief Warrant Officer James Groves III, who was killed during a helicopter crash in Kandahar, Afghanistan over the weekend.

"He was a very strong, very caring, young man," she said while sitting in the living room of her Kettering home. "He was our rock".

James was a Kiowa helicopter pilot and was just a little more than a year away from retirement. He enlisted in the Army in 1994 as a senior at Fairmont High School.

"At that point my son became extremely focused on graduation and grades," added Leslie.
    
James started out in military intelligence, then got into repelling out of helicopters and eventually began flying them.

James Groves II, said his son was dedicated to his job and never scared of danger.

"He was inquisitive," said his father. "He used to do things made you wonder and go "gosh".
    
The Groves' said they often worried about James and on Saturday received the news they'd always feared.

Now, they're finding comfort knowing he died doing what he loved, flying his helicopter and serving his country.

"That's my job", that's about what he would say," said Leslie.