Donald R. McCune
Specialist, United States Army National Guard
June 4, 1984 – August 5, 2004
Age – 20
Ypsilanti, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team, Washington Army National Guard, Moses Lake, WA
Died of injuries sustained August 4 when an improvised device detonated near his patrol in Balad, Iraq
McCune, 20, of Ypsilanti, Mich., died Aug. 5 in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries he sustained the day before in Balad, Iraq. McCune was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team, and stationed in Moses Lake, Wash. Before that, he served nearly two years with an Army Reserve unit out of Fraser.
McCune grew up in Chelsea. He attended high school in Fort Wayne, Ind., while living with his father and at Huron High School when he lived in Ann Arbor with his mother, Darcy Lewis, and stepfather, Army Sergeant Benjamin Lewis. He had enlisted in the Army by the time he earned his high school equivalency degree in 2002.
Benjamin Lewis served with the Michigan Army National Guard’s 156th Signal Battalion before returning home three months ago. McCune had left for Iraq the previous week, and was to have been there until May 2005.
Donald McCune wanted to be a fighter. He named his pets after characters in the fighter-pilot movie “Top Gun,” and when the time came, he asked to transfer to a unit that would go to Iraq.
“He felt this was something he needed to do, and I’m very proud of what he wanted to do,” said his mother, Darcy Lewis. “I’m proud of my son. I believe we’re there for a reason and I hope someday his death means something, that something’s been accomplished. He’s not just a statistic. Regardless of what people feel about the war, people need to remember there are Americans over there and they’re there for a reason. They still need to be supported, regardless of people’s feelings.”
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rooting for the Detroit Red Wings, country music and cars.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers as follows:
I served with McCune in Iraq. I was in the command squad. I remember the day this happened…. I miss him, last I saw was the dust off of the Black Hawk taking him away. I am at work at the moment, and could not figure out what was bothering me.
Today’s date was the day, our SGT Major handed me his uniform and boots. I was to clean them for his military funeral on base. Every year I relive this moment, and to the day I die I will continue to relive it.
Miss you brother,
Dennis Dwelle
“SPC McCune,
Yourself and SPC Hobbs are what makes America great! It has taken me awhile but I want to express my heartfelt thanks to a young soldier that volunteered to go on that patrol with our Scout Platoon. I will never ever forget one of the first patrols that you went out with me. You had everything covered even the kids that were throwing rocks at us, although that didn’t make you too happy! LOL! Love you brother! Scouts Out!”
SPC Jason Huss of Grand Ledge, Michigan
“Dear Donald, I thought of you all last night 8/5/07. I cannot explain my feelings with words. I remember seeing you that night in the hospital as you went off to surgery and remembering training with you before Iraq and sitting in the back of the hummer with you on the 50 cal. We had a bet on when the next attack would take place at the city council meeting that Thursday but you didn’t make it. We all missed you in the command section. You were 100% soldier and I will always be proud to have served with you. You will always be remembered – I will never forget. Your friend and comrade. Sgt Godbout – Medic”
Joe of Hollister, Ca