RICHLAND, WA, USA U.S. Army SPC, C CO, 1ST BN, 161ST INF REG, 6500 32D AVE NE, MOSES LAKE WA 98837 BAGHDAD, IRAQ 07/09/2004
Jeremiah Schmunk was a high school wrestler who placed sixth in the state when he was a senior in 2002.
“He beat the best when he was at his best,” said Rick Bowers, Schmunk’s coach. “That was an inspirational moment for all the kids on the team.”
Schmunk, 21, of Richland, Wash., was killed July 8 after an attack on his patrol near Baghdad. He was a member of the Washington National Guard.
Bowers described Schmunk as “really friendly, sociable and a good friend of my youngest daughter. He would do just about anything for anyone. He’s going to be missed.”
On the day he died, Schmunk called his mother, Shirley Schmunk to let her know he was OK and say that he loved her, said his uncle, John Daly.
Before his deployment late last year, Schmunk was living in Kennewick and attended Columbia Basin College.
SPC Schmunk graduated from Warden High School, Warden, Washington in May of 2002 and immediately joined and began training with the Washington Army National Guard. Before deploying with his unit in March of this year, Jeremiah attended Columbia Basin College.
Washington Governor Gary Locke issued this statement; “I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Specialist Jeremiah Schmunk, a Washington National Guard soldier. My sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends and fellow guardsmen. I ask all Washingtonians to keep our soldiers in their thoughts as they carry out their duties in Iraq.”
Major General Timothy Lowenberg, the Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard added that he and the entire Guard membership wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to Specialist Schmunk’s family and loved ones.
SPC Schmunk is survived by his mother Shirley Schmunk, Richland, his Aunt Nancy Daly, and husband John of Richland, and his Aunt Emma Iback, and husband Jim of Yakima. He has many other family members in Richland and Yakima.
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