Vice President JD Vance responded to reports that one of the four soldiers killed in the recent military helicopter crash was the son of Mission BBQ co-founder Bill Kraus.
“This is extremely sad. A great company and a great family. May Andrew and all of the soldiers killed rest in peace,” Vance noted in a post on X.
Kraus and Steve Newton founded Mission BBQ, a patriotic restaurant chain honoring U.S. service members and first responders, now operating in 23 states.
“We believe there is nothing more American than BBQ. And nobody more American than the brave men and women who have sworn to protect and serve Our Communities and Our Country. We do what we do for the love of our soldiers, firefighters, police officers, first responders—all our loved ones in service,” Kraus and Newton explain in a note on the company’s website.
Four soldiers were killed in a Sept. 17 training “aircraft mishap,” the Army said. They were Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Kraus, 39, of Florida; Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Cully, 35, of Missouri; Sgt. Donavon Scott, 24, of Washington; and Sgt. Jadalyn Good, 23, also of Washington.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the loss of four courageous Night Stalkers from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 17th during a training mission,” Col. Stephen Smith, commander, noted, according to the release.
Smith called the four soldiers “exceptional warriors” and said they “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations. Their sacrifice in service to our nation will forever be etched in our hearts and in the legacy of the Night Stalkers. These heroes were not only elite professionals but also cherished teammates, friends, and family members whose absence leaves an immeasurable void.”
This is extremely sad. A great company and a great family. May Andrew and all of the soldiers killed rest in peace. https://t.co/h3qrLXnIXS
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 23, 2025
Our nation mourns the loss of four courageous soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Their courage, sacrifice, and service to our great nation will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/6IpASKZcoV
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 22, 2025
