JANESVILLE, WI, USA U.S. Army PFC, A CO., 115TH FORWARD SUPPORT BATTALION, (1ST CAV DIV), FORT HOOD, TX 76544 DIWANIYAH, IRAQ 03/29/2004
Private First Class Sean Michael Schneider was from Janesville, Wisconsin. He graduated from Janesville Craig High School in 2000 and worked for a concrete company, but wanted to do more. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he decided upon a military career. In July 2002, he married. A month later, on August 16, 2002, he enlisted in the United States Army and became a tank mechanic assigned to the 115th Forward Support Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.
He was tall, over 6 feet, and often towered over others in photographs. He loved his wife, the outdoors, and his dog Hercules. He also loved America and believed in fighting for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy. Those who knew him talk about his love of discussing ideas. In October 2003, he and his unit found out that they were going to Iraq. Sean was excited about the upcoming deployment and could not wait for the opportunity to fulfill his purpose when he enlisted.
In early March 2004 his unit deployed for 12 to 16 months. On 29 March, according to Lt. Col. Sharon L. Leary, Sean died in Diwaniayh, Iraq, from injuries he sustained when the Army truck he was riding in from Kuwait slid off a steep embankment and flipped over. He received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
His brother Paul wrote, “I am proud of my little brother for what he chose to do, and will be forever grateful that he, like so many veterans before him, made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms that you and I enjoy every day. He will always be remembered in my heart as a hero.”
(Sources: “Funeral held for Janesville soldier who died in Iraq” Associated Press; http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/pfc-sean-michael-schneider/ 31 July 2010; “Wisconsin soldier killed in Iraq” Associated Press)
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