David A. Hartman

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Sergeant First Class, United States Army Reserve

August 15, 1962 – July 17, 2004
Age – 41
Akron, MI

First Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom
401st Transportation Company, Army Reserve, Battle Creek, MI

Killed when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an improvised explosive device in Baiji, Iraq

David A. Hartman was a 21-year veteran of the military and a dedicated family man. “My brother was a family man, a hard worker, very dedicated to the military. It was his job,” said Bill Hartman. “He was one of those people you could call and you could count on being there when you called.”

Hartman, 41, of Akron, Mich., was killed July 17 when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an explosive device in Baiji, Iraq. He was based at Battle Creek, Mich. A truck driver for an agricultural company in civilian life, Hartman was a veteran of the first Gulf War. His brother said he developed Gulf War Syndrome and could have asked for a medical discharge. “But he didn’t try to get out,” Bill Hartman said. “When he saw all the people who were going over there, he told me he wanted to join them, and lead by example.” He leaves behind a wife, Robbin; a 21-year-old son, Benjamin; and an 18-year-old daughter, Heather.

One of his soldiers remembered him with the following tribute.

“SFC David Hartman was one of my sergeants over in Iraq. He wasn’t just my sergeant he was my friend and like a father to me.

I was 19 while we were there and he tried to keep me out of trouble which at times was a hard thing to do. We did this thing where we would punch each other in the arm and say that is how much we care, and sometimes it would really hurt. Everyone in my platoon looked up to him.

He was a good leader, he would say that he would never ask us to do anything that he wouldn’t do, and he never did.

To his family if you read this SFC Hartman was a good man and my heart goes out to you. Since we have been home I have had a baby and I named my little one after a man who has made an impact on my life.

I miss him and I will never forget him.”
SPC Ganger