Justin Shane Monschke
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 1 August 2007, Sergeant First Class Justin Shane Monschke was serving as the Senior Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3224 (ODA-3224) Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that date, SFC Monschke’s unit was engaged in combat action under intense enemy fire during the execution of Operation Charger in the Balad area of Iraq. SFC Monschke’s leadership and courageous actions that day earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

SFC Monschke was Killed in Action on 14 October 2007, just days before his 29th birthday. SFC Monschke was killed by an improvised explosive device during a dismounted movement to a suspected enemy position in the south Baghdad region of Arab Jabour, Iraq.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Superior Unit Award
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Special Forces Tab
Ranger Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Justin Shane Monschke, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 1 August 2007, under intense enemy fire during the execution of Operation CHARGER in the Balad area of Iraq, while serving as the Senior Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3224 (ODA-3224), in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Monschke's heroic actions and leadership during combat operations in Iraq contributed to the overwhelming victory of his Detachment against anti-Iraqi forces. Sergeant First Class Monschke's heroism is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Justin Shane Monschke is buried at Krum Jackson Cemetery in Krum, Denton County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22214518/justin-shane-monschke