“Pfc. Matthew M. Martinek, 20, of DeKalb, Ill., died Sept. 11 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 4 when enemy attacked his vehicle with an improvised-explosive device followed by a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.”

So says the DoD. Their press releases have been described as dry and matter-of-fact, as if that were a fault. I don’t think it is. The press release is the very first public notice of an identified American warrior who has fallen in service to his patriotic duty. The family was notified 24 hours before the media was informed, but now we all know the simple facts: (1) September 11^th, (2) September 4^th, (3) IED, (4) RPG & SAF, (5) 1/501PIR.

He died on the 8^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks after being wounded on September 4^th when his vehicle was stopped by an Improvised Explosive Device and the enemy persisted with Rocket-Propelled Grenades and rifle fire. He was a member of an elite Parachute Infantry Regiment.

But the story is this: Six soldiers of Company B, 1/501PIR were traveling in a vehicle that was disabled by a roadside bomb. The leader, 34 year-old 2LT Darryn Andrews, had everyone dismount to organize a defense. The lieutenant saw the RPG coming and pushed three of his soldiers to the ground, absorbing the blast himself and dying. The blast wounded the others and the squad then came under small arms fire.

This is war. An explosion had damaged their truck and forced them outside. Another explosion killed their experienced leader, and injured most of them. The enemy then filled the air around them with deadly rifle fire. One round hit Matthew M. Martinek in the back of his head.

art courtesy of Michael Michaelson

What was Matt doing as the explosions drove him from the safety of his vehicle and the security of his friends? I don’t know exactly. This is what I do know: One grandfather served in World War Two, the other in Korea. An uncle fought in Desert Storm and two older brothers have had tours in Iraq.

I know a Parachute Infantry Regiment is light infantry. I know the paratroopers are soldiers who volunteered and then qualified to fight with minimal resources – a rifle, a knife and muscles. And I know the spirit of a paratrooper.

I know that Matt is from the same battalion and Bowe Bergdahl; they are both 1/501PIR – the 1^st Battalion of the 501^st, based in Alaska. The enemy took Bowe’s rifle and knife and then they put him in front of a video camera. Bowe was captured less than three months ago from that same Afghanistan province that lies just across the border from the badlands of Pakistan. He continues to live in constant fear of gruesome decapitation.

Matt is in good company as a member of 1/501PIR with Darryn Andrews and Bowe Bergdahl. He is also in good company as a member of the 2007 class of Bartlett High School where he played on the football team with Lenny Gulczynski.

There are 869 high schools in Illinois. Bartlett H.S. is one of the newest, graduating its first class in 2000. Six days after the death of Bartlet Hawk Matt Martinek we will reach the first anniversary of the death of Bartlett Hawk Lenny Gulczynski. Lenny died in Baghdad.

From the school website the day before Matt’s arrival at the DuPage Airport:

One high school, two American heroes! Hail the Hawks!

This mission unfolds over 3 days.

Commentary & photography:

Wednesday escort

Friday wake

Saturday funeral

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