Sunday, August 14, 2011

Cryptologic Technician Collection 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael Joseph Strange

Petty Officer 1st Class Strange, 25, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy in September, 2004.

After graduating from Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois in November, 2004, he reported to the Center for Information Dominance at Pensacola, Florida. He completed his training at the Center for Information Dominance in April, 2005, and reported to Navy Information Operations Command, Kunia, Hawaii. In May 2009, he checked into his East Coast based SEAL Team.

Petty Officer Strange’s awards include Joint Service Commendation Medal (2) one with “V” device for valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Rifleman Marksmanship Medal, and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

STATEMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL KENDALL CARD
IDC Community,

The Department of Defense officially announced earlier today (Thursday, August 11, 2011) the names of the 30 U.S. Service members who died on August 6 while supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  They died in Wardak province, Afghanistan when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down.

With the release of this announcement, we can officially recognize and acknowledge the sacrifices of the two IDC Sailors among the 30 American heroes we lost:

- Information Systems Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Freefall Parachutist) Jared W. Day, 28, of Taylorsville, Utah

- Cryptologist Technician (Collection) Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) Michael J. Strange, 25, of Philadelphia, Pa; and

Both were assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.

Petty Officers Day and Strange represent the best of what we aspire to be: Warriors, fighting in service to our country.  Their dedication to the mission, our Navy, and the United States of America must not be forgotten as we join their families and Shipmates in mourning their loss.

Please join me in offering a salute to Petty Officers Strange and Day,  as well as the other 28 American heroes we lost - they made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all can enjoy the freedoms many take for granted.  We honor them for their dedicated service, and offer our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and Shipmates.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Captain Lambert.

I and others like me are very humbled by the sacrifice that Petty Officer Strange and Petty Officer Day offered to our country by their selfless service in the quest to do their countries biding. We all mourn and honor them, they have shown that they are worthy of the highest praise that man can achieve in the defense of freedom and liberty. May they rest in peace and may their families have some solace knowing that these young men willingly made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Very Respectfully,
Navyman834

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this, Mike. Both of these guys are true heroes, doing what few others would be willing to do. Mourn their loss now. Honor their spirit always.

CWO4 Brian Ashpole, USN-Retired said...

A man once said "The security of this great nation rests squarely on the shoulders of its young people."

Anonymous said...

RIP Crippie! Thanks for your ULTIMATE service to your country.

1120 of the line...