An US Army parachutist who was member of the elite Golden Knights demonstration team tragically died after experiencing a ‘hard landing’ after a routine jump.
Sgt. First Class Officer Michael ‘Ty’ Kettenhofen, 37, sustained serious injuries on Monday after the tragic fall that took place at the Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.
The paratrooper was transported to Jackson South Medical Center in Kendall where he underwent surgery, but died shortly after.
Kettenhofen, who was a 16-1/2 year veteran of the Army joined the exclusive Golden Knights parachute team in fall of 2020. During the course of his military career, he had successfully executed more than 1,000 jumps.
Lt. Col. Andy Moffit, Golden Knights Parachute Team commander and his team members were grieving the loss of his unexpected passing, who was described as a ‘beloved father, son, brother, teammate and friend.’
‘The U.S. Army Parachute Team is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own,’ Mofitt said. ‘Our hearts and faith are with his family and friends as we grieve and heal with them.’
An US Army parachutist Sgt. First Class Officer Michael ‘Ty’ Kettenhofen, 37, a member of the elite Golden Knights demonstration team, died tragically after experiencing a ‘hard landing’ after a routine jump on Monday at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida
A close-up of Kettenhofen smiling during a previous jump over the Florida coast
Kettenhoffen had been awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal
The soldier served with both the Gold and Black Demonstration teams and as cadre for the 2022 Fall Assessment and Selection program. As an 11B, he was a combat veteran with multiple deployments.
He had been awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal.
Moffit said Kettenhofen will be remembered for his ‘sense of humor, joy of life and accomplishments as a senior non-commissioned officer and demonstration parachutist.
According to the Army, the accident is under investigation.
The Golden Knights training base is located in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but spends winters in Homestead, The Miami Herald reported.
The Golden Knights is the nickname of the elite United States Army Parachute Team (pictured)
The Golden Knights is the nickname of the elite United States Army Parachute Team.
A demonstration and competition parachute team consists of members drawn from all branches of the US Army.
Members must demonstrate excellence in parachuting. The Golden Knights make free-fall jumps from 13,000 feet and higher.
One of their most popular jumps was when they took the late President George H.W. Bush on a number of tandem dives in his later years.
Over the last five years, there have been a number of parachuting accidents with members of the Golden Knights who were seriously injured, including three who performed a night dive over the base in February 2019, the Miami Herald reported.
A photo of Kettenhofen about to take a plunge out of the aircraft years before the jump which killed him
Kettenhofen (center) standing proudly with his Golden Knights teammates
Prayers flooded in from those who remembered Kettenhofen as a remarkable soldier and person on the US Army Golden Knight’s Facebook page.
Daniel Beard posted a photo of him with Kettenhofen and another officer at the Tomahawk Ball 2008.
‘Ty was a great leader, amazing friend, devoted family man. It was an honor to serve with him and watch him grow over the last 15 years,’ Beard wrote.
Another wrote, ‘SFC Kettenhofen was the Black Hat who pinned my wings on me back in 2017.’
‘He’s one of those dudes you just can’t forget. I will carry them skydiving in his honor this weekend.’
Another person remembered his ‘kindness.’
‘He was just helping me plan a birthday jump with the guys. He was so genuinely kind, loved a good laugh, and never knew a stranger,’ she wrote. ‘Fly free my friend.’
Kettenhofen was from Orange County, California.
A friend posted a moving tribute upon learning of his sudden and tragic passing saying he ‘will be missed.’
‘I have lost a lot of people whom I consider to be Friends. This is one of the ones that I consider to be Brother,’ he wrote, in part.
‘I met this guy during my 1st deployment when he was inserted in our unit mid tour. I ‘Grew Up’ along side him for nearly 9 years and 36 Months of combat.’
‘He was always Motivating and Competitive. He moved on to become one of the more successful men that I have served with.’
