Community Corner

JBLM's Sgt. Michael Ristau Was "Brave, Quiet" Husband and Father

The Rockford, IL soldier died Friday, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, according to the Army. Members of his company shared more information about him.

UPDATE: 8:30 p.m., 7/15/12

We were contacted by the publishers of a blog for Sgt. Michael Ristau's company - "5-20 Battle Company" - who shared more information about him.

According to Battle Company Project, the 27-year-old was a "brave, quiet young soldier." He was one of 160 soldiers in the Battle Company Project:

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A native of Cascade, Iowa, Michael, 27, graduated from Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Waveland, MS, in 2004 and enlisted in the Army about a month later. He was married to Elizabeth Ristau on June 18, 2011 and they have one son, Hyle Lee Ristau, who was born at Tacoma on Nov. 28., 2011, just days before he deployed to Afghanistan.

Ristau was also an avid competitor in the rodeo and was often in "cowboy mode" during his off duty, according to the blog.

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To learn more about Ristau, visit Battle Company Project.

Thanks so much for sharing. Our condolences and prayers are with you all.

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(Editor's note: This is from the Department of Defense)

According to the Dept. of Defense, a Soldier deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Sgt. Michael E. Ristau, 27, of Rockford, IL died July 13, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

According to unit records, Sgt. Ristau entered the Army in July 2004. He attended Initial Army Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Benning, GA. His AIT training was for MOS 11B (Infantryman).

Sgt. Ristau arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in November 2004 and was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He deployed with his brigade to Afghanistan in December 2011. This was his second deployment. He previously deployed with 3rd Stryker Brigade to Iraq from June 2006 – August 2007.

Sgt. Ristau’s civilian and military education includes a high school equivalency diploma (2004), Technical  Transporting for Hazardous Material (2010), Combatives Level One (2008), Warrior Leader Course (2008), and Military Occupational Specialty 11B: Infantryman (2004).

His awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles.

On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Ristau.


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