The US military is looking into the death of a Black Hawk pilot found off a base in Honduras. Lt. Colonel Marciano Palisano, 25, from Tiboro, Texas, was part of the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment.
In a statement, officials expressed their sorrow, noting, “We acknowledge the passage of Lieutenant Colonel Palisano, who served with dignity, pride, and courage at Soto Kano Air Base.” A fellow officer remarked on his contributions as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot, saying, “He will be greatly missed by all who had the fortune of knowing and serving alongside him.”
The Army reported that Palisano was on a licensed holiday when he was discovered. An ongoing investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death. Reports indicate that he was found near the banks of the Chiquito River, according to a local newspaper.
The investigation is being conducted in cooperation with the Honduras National Police and the US Embassy, along with the Army Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Palisano graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 2023 and completed aviation training in Alabama. He assumed his first duty on November 27, 2024, at Soto Kano Air Base. His honors included the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and a variety of military badges.
