HURON, OH, USA U.S. Marines SGT, C CO, 1ST BN, 3D MAR, 31ST MEU, 1ST MAR DIV, KANEOHE BAY, HI KOREAN VILLAGE, IRAQ 01/26/2005
Michael Finke had been a Marine for nine years. He enlisted when he was a senior in high school.
“We had to sign the papers because he was under age,” said Michael Finke Sr. “Once he graduated, he went right out to basic training.”
He married his wife in 2002.
Sergeant Michael W. Finke, Jr. 28, was among the 31 killed on January 26, 2005, when a helicopter crashed near Rutbah, Iraq. He was stationed with the Marine Active duty 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
On the day his family completed arrangements for his funeral, a letter from Michael Finke Jr. arrived from Iraq at the home of his wife, Heather. “He was real upbeat,” said his brother, Tim. “He just talked a lot about how he couldn’t wait to get home to start a family.” Finke, 28, of Huron, Ohio, was among the 31 killed Jan. 26 when a helicopter crashed in Iraq. He was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
“I know it sounds corny, but everybody loved Michael,” his father said.
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