www.theaustralian.news.com.au -- FOR the second time in 12 years, Naomi Nary is mourning the loss of a military husband, after the death of one of the nation's most experienced SAS soldiers.
Warrant Officer David Nary, who served on some of the most dangerous missions undertaken by Australia's elite SAS, was killed in a freak accident when he was hit by an army vehicle in Kuwait late on Sunday.
Mrs Nary's first husband, SAS Corporal Gordon Holland, died in a training accident at the Swanbourne barracks in Perth in 1993.
Warrant Officer Nary, the first Australian soldier to die in the Middle East since the start of the second Iraq war in 2003, leaves five children -- three youngsters from his marriage to Naomi and two from a previous marriage.
The accident happened close to dusk on Sunday when an SAS detachment was conducting advanced training for protective security operations in Iraq.
His companions desperately administered first aid but he died at the scene.
Defence chief Angus Houston paid tribute to Warrant Officer Nary yesterday, describing him as "one of our finest soldiers" and extremely popular within the SAS regiment.
"His death is a sad loss to the entire Australian defence force community and is deeply felt by all those who had the privilege to serve alongside him," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
"Until the incident has been investigated fully it would be inappropriate of me to provide details of the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident."
Army chief Peter Leahy described Warrant Officer Nary as a soldier of enormous experience, "trusted by all of those who came across him".
SAS Association national chairman David Lewis recalled a cool-headed, intelligent soldier who was the perfect candidate for the SAS.
"I encouraged him to join ... he was a very 'can do' person and exceptionally well-regarded," Mr Lewis said yesterday.
"He loved his family, loved sport and had a passion for Harley-Davidson motorbikes."
Mr Lewis said that despite the demands of his job, Warrant Officer Nary was a committed family man. "He had a fantastic sense of humour and was able to see the funny side of most things," he said.
John Howard praised the efforts of the soldiers who attempted to save his life.
"This man had a wonderful career with the SAS and he was an outstanding serviceman," the Prime Minister said. "It's appropriate that I speak for all of my fellow Australians in saying to his family
how very, very sad we are at the death of this wonderful member of the SAS."
Warrant Officer Nary joined the army in 1981 and served with the 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment and 11/28 Royal Western Australia Regiment before joining the Special Air Service Regiment in 1989. He served with the SAS for 17 years, including in East Timor and Afghanistan. His is the first fatality for the Perth-based SAS regiment since Sergeant Andrew Russell died in Afghanistan in 2002 after his vehicle struck a land mine.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said Warrant Officer Nary's experience and leadership had been recognised in January this year, when he was promoted from sergeant to warrant officer class 2.
The Governor-General, Major-General Michael Jeffery, commander-in-chief of the Australian Defence Force, offered his deepest sympathy last night to the officer's family and friends.