Michael F. Pedersen
Sergeant, United States Army
February 20, 1977 – April 2, 2003
Age – 26
Flint, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment Hunter Army Airfield, GA
Killed when the UH-6o Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed in central Iraq
Army Sgt Pedersen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 3rd Aviation Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. Pedersen was killed when his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Central Iraq.
Michael and his wife Chanel started dating in high school in Flint, Michigan. Around 1996 he decided to join the military because he wanted to support his newborn daughter. At the time he was still in high school and working at a Long John Silver’s restaurant. Immediately after graduating Michael joined the Army and intended to make the military his career. His assignments included the Bahamas and Bosnia. He was deployed to Kuwait in January 2003. Michael was a practical joker, a basketball lover and a hero to his younger siblings. He was a quiet person and an excellent soldier.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers as follows:
“I served with Mike until I left HAAF,GA at the end of 02. We have not forgotten, nor will we ever forget. I was a crew chief back then. I was devastated back then to learn of the crash. Every year as the anniversary comes and goes images of him and the rest of the crew pop in my head. I just wanted you to know your son and the crew of 557 will never be forgotten. They are true AMERICAN HEROES and we miss them very much. I’ve come to this page many times and could never find the right words to say. I hope all of you know how much Mike is truly missed by all the people he touched in his life.RIP crew of 557. we miss you!!”
CW2 Tim S of Clarksville, TN
Mrs Lipscomb,
It is with the deepest sympathy and pain that I write you this note. I pray everyday that my family will never receive the terrible news you live with daily. Though I do not agree with all the opinions expressed in Fahrenheit 9/11, I want you to know that your son has not and will never be forgotten by his brothers/sisters in arms or their families. Your family and the families of all who serve are the true heroes, we soldiers must only do our jobs, it is those who are left behind who must deal with the consequences when something goes terribly wrong. You will remain in my families prayers, may the lord watch over us all and bring you and your family peace.”
SSG John T USARMY of Baghdad, Iraq
“Mike was one of my first friends in the army we went to school together and even went to Hawaii together. we both went our ways but I never forgot him he was my good friend, his wife and child I cannot express how bad I feel about everything that has happened but I will be there soon enough to help you all i can Chanel. it pains me terribly to know he was gone I was so looking forward to moving to Savannah but now it will not be as fun when I get there. mike was a good soldier and did his duty and sacrificed more than many others would even think of. he was my good friend and now he is gone I understand what he sacrificed for his family and the rest of the country and will not forget. rest in peace mike you have earned it let us worry about everything else. your friend “
Sgt. James Kenny of NSRR, Puerto Rico
Mike… I miss the days of taking a break away from those dame helicopters to have a smoke and just BS about whatever came to mind. I know it’s too late, but I would like to thank you for some of the advice you gave me over three years or so I had the honor to call you a friend. You knew where I was in life the last time we talked… just a few days from my separation from the Army… and thanks to you I didn’t do it. You will always be missed my friend.
Chuck