Captain David Wisniewski’s HH-60G Pave Hawk crashed in Afghanistan on June 9, 2010 — reportedly after a rocket-propelled grenade shot it down as the crew prepared to evacuate wounded British troops. Four airmen on board were killed. David, the aircraft’s pilot, was one of three injured. He died from his wounds July 2, 2010 at National Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

David, a 31-year-old Iowa native and 2002 Air Force Academy graduate, served with the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He was on his seventh deployment. David flew more than 1,500 hours, including 289 combat hours, during his eight-year career.

A visit to an Air Force museum as a kindergartner inspired David to join the service. His strong Catholic convictions motivated him to become a helicopter pilot, placing his own life in jeopardy as he rescued injured people in combat zones.“He didn’t want to drop bombs from 40,000 feet and kill people,” said his father, Chet Wisniewski. “He wanted to save people. That’s what he trained to do, and that’s what he wanted to do.”

Here’s a toast.

$10 from every bracelet sold will go to a charity chosen by David’s Gold Star family.