A Navy SEAL who grew up in Kearney and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University was among dozens killed in Afghanistan when insurgents shot down a Chinook helicopter.

The Defense Department has not yet released the official list of casualties.

But, based on press accounts, it appears four of the victims hailed from the Kansas City area.

Kearney native Matt Mason served in the Navy’s Seal Team Six. He was a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, and had recovered from serious injuries in the battle of Fallujah, Iraq.

Officials say 21-year-old Spencer Duncan of Olathe was an Army Reserve Specialist.

Twenty-three-year-old Alexander Bennett of Overland Park was an Army specialist and flight mechanic.

Thirty-one-year-old Bryan Nichols of Kansas City was a pilot and Chief Warrant Officer.

They were among the 38 people who died when their Chinook helicopter was shot down by insurgents in Afghanistan this past weekend.