2 Virginia Beach-based Navy SEALS killed in Iraq to rest in Arlington

Posted to: Iraq Military News Virginia Beach

By Steve Stone
The Virginian-Pilot
© February 9, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

Arrangements have been announced for two locally based Navy SEALs killed by small-arms fire during combat operations in Iraq on Monday.

Both men were assigned to Special Warfare Group Two at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.

Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy, 29, of Durham, N.H., who was married and the father of a 7-month-old boy, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Friday.

A celebration of his life will be held later in New Hampshire, the Navy said Saturday.

Memorial donations may be made to the "Nate Hardy Memorial Fund," in care of the Navy Federal Credit Union, Building 200, FTC Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, VA, 23461.

The other SEAL who was killed was Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch, 29. His family is in State College, Pa.

His funeral is to be private, with H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, handling arrangements.

The Navy said Saturday night that Koch will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday.

Steve Stone, (757) 446-2309, steve.stone@pilotonline.com

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