Michael P. Hodshire
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
September 15, 1980 – October 30, 2005
Age – 25
North Adams, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC
Died of wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Sgt. Hodshire was born in Montpelier, OH on September 15, 1980, the son of Edwin and Tarry (Eicher) Hodshire. He attended school in Montpelier, and graduated from North Adams-Jerome High School, North Adams, in 1999. While a student at North Adams-Jerome High School, he was an active participant in F.F.A., served on the 1998-1999 Yearbook Sentinel Staff and was recipient of the drama award his senior year. Sgt. Hodshire excelled as a place kicker for the North Adams-Jerome football team, receiving numerous honors including the Detroit Free Press First Team, All State Place Kicker and the Detroit News Honorable All State for Football.
Four days following his high school graduation, he entered the United States Marine Corps. His career in the Marine Corps included being recommended to serve on the Silent Drill Team and Color Guard in Washington, D.C. Sgt. Hodshire was first deployed to Iraq in March, 2004, serving until October, 2004, where he was 3rd platoon leader and infantryman. In July, 2005, he was again deployed to Iraq serving as second squad leader for the 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Being a Marine and serving his country was Michael’s dream and passion.
Two fellow Marines remembered him with the following words –
“I remember that we were in country for only a few days when we came across our first roadside bomb. I can’t believe that you drove right over that thing and did not even notice it. I then remember Borowski yelling, “Dude, bomb!” I then remember seeing the car driving away and knowing that we were watching the bad guys pull away. We opened fire and disabled the car. Mike and I took off like coons with a pack of hounds on our rear. We were the first tow to arrive and we detained the bad guys. Then Mike and I had an argument. We both wanted to be the one that got to blow up the car so that it could not be used again. He let me win the argument; to no real avail though. Our command put the kybosh on the blowing up of the vehicle. I miss you Mike, we had too many hours driving around that hell hole chasing our tails. I do not think that I could have served with any finer men that I did. I still remember flying out of Jacksonville holding your fiancee’s hand while your vicious little 7lb. dog Zeus sat at our feet in a kennel. I was returning from our Corpsman, Doc Chris Thompson’s funeral. I was there at Word’s house with Braun, Trent and Gobles when we heard the news. We drank, we drank more and we remembered. I will see you again DevilDog.
Semper Fidelis,
Michael Jernigan of Saint Petersburg, FL
“Sgt Hodshire, I remember when you grabbed me and we took a 7ton on patrol. We did what Marines did. You and Sgt Miles inspired us. I remember how I never felt fear with the two of you. When I found out you both died I didn’t believe it. When Marines and people think of men who inspired courage you two were that. You didn’t like me, I was a boot but I was so glad that you trusted me to take me on those single vic 7-ton patrols. I will always respect you and fear you but only because I knew that you would keep my boot self alive and save me from my stupidness. You are a Marines Marine. I am so grateful to have been with you and Easy Co.”
Charleston Burke of Fort Worth, TX