Justin D. Wisniewski
Sergeant, United States Army
December 11, 1984 – May 19, 2007
Age – 22
Standish, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Company A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Drum, NY
Killed by a the blast of an improvised explosive device in Iraq
Justin Daniel Wisniewski, a 22-year-old Army sergeant from Northern Michigan was killed by the blast of an improvised explosive device in Iraq on May 19, 2007.
Justin was loved by everyone who knew him. Born on December 11, 1984, he is remembered as always putting other people first. Justin was a soldier at heart and was proud to fight for the United States and for his family and friends. He left behind a lot of people who grieve for their loss but are so proud of their soldier and their hero.
Justin was always able to put a smile on everyone’s face.
He lived every day of his 22 years as full as possible. If he wanted to do something, he never put it off until tomorrow. Justin wanted very little, just to raise his family in a log house on the east side of Standish. He did not like anyone to make a big deal over him or to fuss, but he is just going to have to deal with it this time. If he did not want anyone to grieve for him, then he should not have been such a person. But the truth is, he was the best and he was our hero in more ways than one.
He was a 2003 graduate of Standish-Sterling Central High School, which held a moment of silence for him the following Monday afternoon. A picture of him in uniform was posted at the school. At 6-feet 2-inches, Wisniewski was a lineman for the football team, weighing in at 235 pounds. His personality was just as big. He had a knack for making everyone else around him happy. He was always happy — he had a million-dollar smile.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers with the following words.
Always in our thoughts. The month of May gets harder as the years pass. I still remember being your lane safety, keeping you in pace with the line as you shot your target while approaching it. I was thoroughly impressed with the caliber of Soldier you were Ski. You emptied 7 magazines so fast. I thought to myself “there’s no way this shot group is gonna look pretty.” Once we reached your target, there were no holes at all outside of that circle. By far the best shot I’ve ever seen. Loved it on the gunline. You cracked me up every time you’d roll by, always shouting something funny. Everyone knew you were back. It’s sad that you had to leave us but you’re in a better place now Ski.
Wayne Sharpe
I went to basic training with Wis, Dunn, and Bonnau we all ended up at Ft. Drum together, Wis and I were assigned to 2/15 FAR. I remember Wis used to come over to my room and cook venison on my roommates George Foreman grill, he was a good cook! We deployed to Iraq the first time once we arrived we were separated he went to Alpha I went to Bravo. Three years ago today my platoon had a joint mission with his platoon and I will never forget what happened that day. When I saw the explosion from our blocking position first person that came to mind was Wis and prayed to God he was ok unfortunately my prayers were too late and I’m sorry I could not have done more to help Wis come home alive. I will never forget Wis he was a good guy and a great leader!
Jose Atilano
Well I served with him while I was in Iraq for OIF and OEF in 2004 to 2005 and he was a brother and friend and foe but what family doesn’t have their differences he was someone you can count on in the heat of battle always had his head in the game and a major party animal he was my brother in arms and in our favorite game it was me Pantojas ,Carlos James,Harding and our mutual friend Ford and Justin,Wisniewski we were known as the Saviors and we had a picture of us in camp Victory Iraq like if we were in the last supper Justin enjoyed that . he will be missed and cherished by me no matter what we are brother marked by the by the heat of battle till we meet again my friend…!!!! Sincerely Carlos A Pantojas my love goes to his family 13478622263
Carlos Pantojas