Pilot with Iowa City ties shot down in Afghanistan dies

UPDATED: A 31-year-old U.S. Air Force pilot from Iowa has died after sustaining injuries from a helicopter crash last month in Afghanistan, family members said.

David Wisniewski died Friday night at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md., according to the family.

Wisniewski was piloting an Air Force Black Hawk helicopter on June 9 when it was shot down, his father Chet Wisniewski, of Iowa City said.

"He rescued three people who were on the ground and then was watching for the second chopper when they were shot down," Chet Wisniewski told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier for a story posted online Saturday.

The Associated Press could not reach the father for comment. A phone number for Chet Wisniewski would not accept messages on Saturday.

The younger Wisniewski, who had served several tours in Afghanistan, was hospitalized in Germany and underwent brain surgery. Days later he was flown to Andrews Air Force Base in Bethesda for further treatment.

The family established a website last month to keep friends updated on Wisniewski's condition.

"He passed away peacefully ... " a Friday blog entry on the website read. "Thank you all for the prayers we have all received during this trying time."

The U.S. Department of Defense had not listed Wisniewski's death on its website on Saturday. A spokeswoman did not immediately have further details.

Wisniewski graduated from Woodbury Central Community School District in Moville before going to the United States Air Force Academy and flight school.

His father said his son was engaged and lived in Las Vegas. He was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Funeral services were pending.

Wisniewski turned 31 late last month. Family members celebrated his birthday with Oreo cookies at the hospital, one of Wisniewski's favorite foods, according to a family blog post.

He was also awarded the Purple Heart in late June.

"I am so very proud of my brother and all the military people that put their lives on the line for our freedoms every day," according to a blog post after Wisniewski received the award. "I will not forget what each and everyone does for me, my family, and all the other families out there."