Stretch of Ohio 121 dedicated for airman who died in Phillipines

McDaniel is being remembered via signs that have been erected on 121, from New Madison to Fort Jefferson.

Six miles have been dedicated in remembrance of the airman, a special tactics para rescue-man who was killed when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was in crashed in the Philippines Feb. 22, 2002, according to a story posted to the Defense Video Imagery Distribution System's webpage.

"Sergeant McDaniel was living exactly what he trained to do," Col. Michael Martin, commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing, told the online publication.

"That is to be part of an assault force going into an island to rescue American hostages and counter the terrorism by Abu Sayyaf. It was a tragic loss."

McDaniel was part of a joint, special operations team infiltrating an island in Southern Philippines.

The intent was to infiltrate four teams, establish a forward operating base, collect intelligence and successfully rescue two Americans being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

After the fourth infiltration, the Army special forces helicopter crashed into the Sulu Sea. McDaniel, one of his airmen, and eight U.S. soldiers were on board.