Allen A. Greka
Sergeant, United States Army
June 18, 1978 – July 13, 2007
Age – 29
Alpena, MI
3rd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA
Died of wounds sustained from a land mine detonation during a dismounted patrol in Jisr Diyala, Iraq
SGT Allen seemed on a course to join the military since the fifth grade when someone gave him a copy of the Air Force survival guide. He spent hours reading and studying the book. Before long he had memorized every word in it.
At Alpena High School in Alpena, Michigan, Allen set himself apart. He was independent, vocal and had high expectations of himself. But his willingness to question authority had everyone surprised when he joined the military. As an ambitious teenager, he wanted more opportunities than the Thunder Bay region could offer.
He first enlisted in the Army in 2000 and had just re-enlisted a second time, thinking of making the Army his career. He hoped that one day it might lead to a good job in law enforcement. As a young boy, Allen’s father taught him the art of target shooting. He was so good at it that he won a marksmanship medal in basic training. His ability to get off a good shot worked well for him as a .50-caliber machine gunner on a Humvee. Allen was a very professional soldier who loved what he did. He was a very outgoing person who enjoyed reading and was very smart. His hobbies were going duck hunting and cheering on the New York Giants in football and the Boston Celtics in basketball.
At his memorial at Ft. Benning, friends described Greka, 29, as an all around funny guy who always had a smile on his face. He was an avid musician with a passion for the drums. Although he was funny and high-spirited, he took his job as a leader seriously and did not wait for his promotion to a noncommissioned officer to take the lead in various missions, according 3-1 Cav. Soldiers.
Soldiers further explained he was also a great husband and father to his wife and two daughters, always talking about them when he wasn’t discussing the mission.
“He was the epitome of a leader and an incredible father and husband,” said Lt. Col. John Kolesheski, squadron commander, 3-1 Cav.
Greka was an extremely hard worker who excelled at his job as a cavalry Soldier and leader, said Capt. Darrel Melton, Troop C commander. “He was – no, he is one of the best men I have ever served with in my 10 years in the Army,” Melton said. “If you ever wanted anything done, he could and would get it done to the highest of standards.”
Melton said Greka had many friends in the unit and cared deeply for any and every Soldier who served over, with, and under him regardless of who they were.
“In order to fully understand and appreciate our love for Sgt. Greka, let me start from the beginning,” said 1st Lt. Ross Pixler, Greka’s platoon leader.
Pixler told multiple stories of his encounters with Greka. They were mostly humorous accounts detailing numerous occasions when he would approach Greka at the most inopportune times. “There is not one man in this platoon who could say he didn’t make them laugh at his expense,” Pixler told the audience. “I feel honored to have shared, in a small way, a portion of his life.”
The final comments from those who knew him best came from Spc. Randy Leverett, a Soldier who served under Greka. “He was a friend who will be remembered,” Leverett said. “To Comanche Troop, Sgt. Greka will always be with us on missions until we go home.”