Michael Durant | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Michael John Durant July 23, 1961 Berlin, New Hampshire, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (BS, MBA) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1979–2001 |
Rank | Chief Warrant Officer 4 |
Unit | 101st Aviation Regiment 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment |
Battles/wars | Operation Prime Chance Operation Just Cause Gulf War Operation Gothic Serpent • Battle of Mogadishu |
Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (3) Prisoner of War Medal |
Michael John Durant[1] (born July 23, 1961) is an American veteran, former pilot, businessman, author, and political candidate. He was involved in the "Black Hawk Down" incident while serving as a U.S. Army pilot,[2] and ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for the 2022 United States Senate election in Alabama.
Durant was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 Blackhawk helicopter Master Aviator in the 160th SOAR after participating in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause, and Desert Storm, and also Gothic Serpent, in which he was briefly held prisoner in 1993 after a raid in Somalia.
Following his retirement from the military in 2001, Durant published a book detailing his experiences, was involved in public speaking engagements and founded an engineering company in Huntsville, Alabama. He also became politically active as a member of the Republican Party.[3]