Daniel E. Scheibner
Sergeant First Class, United States Army
March 18, 1967 – August 29, 2007
Age – 40
Norton Shores, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA
Died of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an IED
Dan was born on March 18, 1967 in Muskegon, MI. He graduated from Mona Shores High School in 1986 and the following year enlisted in the U.S. Army, eager to serve his Country.
On June 9, 1990 he married his true love and soul-mate, Ann Aker also from Muskegon. Dan’s 20 year military career began at Larson Barracks, Germany and included service in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC, and as a drill sergeant at Fort Sill, OK. At Fort Lewis he was assigned to the Charlie Battery of 1st Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and 2nd Infantry Division. He was a Gulf War veteran.
He’d been in Iraq since April, and served with the 4th Brigade out of Ft. Lewis, Washington. He was a career military man who recently celebrated his 20th year in the Army. Dan was eligible to retire from the Army before he was deployed to Iraq in April. But he was dedicated to the men he led. So he agreed to a 12-month tour of duty, which later was extended to 15 months. And that dedication never wavered. As a Stryker member, he led about 25 men in 1st Platoon of Charlie Battery.
He was proficient in his job and was always positive and had a sense of humor regardless of what he was facing. He stood 6 feet 1 inch and gained the nickname “Smoke”.
Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Ann (Aker) and son, Tyler. Family was first for Dan. Ann and Tyler were the center of his life as was Dan for them. He was a loving son and brother, whose bear hugs and infectious smile will be dearly missed. Dan loved life and lived it to the fullest. He never did anything half way. His “need for speed” was evident in his love of NASCAR racing and his “Road Warrior” GMC Jimmy.
His military and civilian education includes Initial Entry Training (1987), Combat Life Savers Course (1991), Warrior Leader Course (1992), Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team training (1994), Air Assault School (1994), Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (1995), Airborne School (1996), Equal Opportunity Leader training (1998), Jumpmaster School (2000), Drill Sergeant School (2002), Advanced Non-Commissioned Course (2003), 130 credit hours of Army correspondence coursework, and 36 semester hours of college coursework. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Army Achievement Medal (6 awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (6 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3 awards), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards), Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Kuwait Liberation Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Drivers and Mechanic Badge.