Justin Hansen
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
August 13, 1985 – July 24, 2012
Age – 26
Traverse City, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom
H Company, 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC
Died in firefight while on patrol in search of a high value target in Badghis Province, Afghanistan
A 2003 graduate of Kingsley High School, Justin excelled in athletics and in forging friendships. He served as captain on the High School Track team, qualifying for State Finals in the discus event. He also competed and served as captain on the wrestling team, but his true love was football. As a captain of his 2002 football team, he helped lead the Stags to a Northwest Conference title, was first team All-Conference, and recognized in the Record-Eagle’s “Dream Team” as a defensive lineman. He held dearly his friendship with and the guidance received from his mentor, Coach Tim Wooer.
Following his high school graduation, Justin attended Northwestern Michigan College. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2005, and attended the School of Infantry at Camp Pendelton, CA, where he graduated with honors. In 2006 he was selected for and graduated from the Basic Reconnaissance Course in Coronado, CA. He served with the 3rd.
Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Scwab in Okinawa, Japan, where he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Justin joined the Special Operations Command in June 2009. He received a Purple Heart, two Combat Action Ribbons and two Good Conduct Medals. He was also a Corps parachutist and earned a brown belt in the Corps’ Martial Arts Program.
Justin also enjoyed snowboarding, spending many hours of his youth at Crystal Mountain. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, recently customizing a 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King with his Uncle Lonnie, which was featured in the April issue of the American Iron Motorcycle Bagger magazine. He was a lifetime fan of the University of Michigan and Detroit Lions football teams, and he represented the USMC at the Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, TX in February 2011.
Sergeant Hansen is survived by his parents, Ms. Vickie Hayes of Vanderbilt, Michigan, and Mr. Richard Hansen, of Williamsburg, Michigan.