Matthew D. Blaskowski
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 3 May 2005, then-Staff Sergeant Matthew D. Blaskowski was serving as a Weapons Squad Leader in Company C, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Vicenza, Italy, while deployed during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On that day, SSG Blaskowski’s unit was engaged in combat action with Taliban and anti-coalition forces near Baluc Kalay, Afghanistan. After air assaulting into a landing zone under highly effective machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, SSG Blaskowski moved his squad, under the intense fire, to occupy an uncovered but critical position for fire support. Placing his machine guns behind the minimal available cover, SSG Blaskowski directed crucial fire on the enemy forces, denying them the ability to maneuver or disengage coalition forces for 4 hours. Numerous times, SSG Blaskowski placed himself at great risk while engaging the enemy positions and relaying directions to his machine gun crews. SSG Blaskowski's unwavering dedication to, and understanding of, his mission fixed a determined enemy and prevented them from maneuvering in any direction, thereby allowing 1st Platoon to destroy 17 enemy, breaking all resistance in the valley. SSG Blaskowski refused to withdraw because his squad was solely responsible for isolating the battalion objective and he continued to fight even after he was wounded in the right leg while pulling a wounded solider to safety. While SSG Blaskowski maintained his position for another hour, he was able to help other wounded soldiers to safety. SSG Blaskowski’s selfless actions and steadfast tenacity forced the enemy to become decisively engaged by advancing assault elements, thereby preventing their escape. SSG Blaskowski’s courageous actions that day earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 23 September 2007, now-Sergeant First Class Blaskowski was on his 2nd deployment to Afghanistan. SFC Blaskowski was killed by a sniper's bullet that hit him in the chest.

Medals, Awards and Badges (Partial List)

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan 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
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Pathfinder Badge

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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Matthew D. Blaskowski, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Weapons Squad Leader in Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, while engaged with the Taliban and anti-coalition forces near Baluc Kalay, Afghanistan, on 3 May 2005. After air assaulting into a landing zone under highly effective machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, he moved his squad under intense fire to occupy an uncovered by critical support by fire position. Placing his machine guns behind the minimal available cover, he directed crucial fire on the enemy forces, denying them the ability to maneuver or disengage coalition forces for four hours. Despite receiving a wound to his leg, Staff Sergeant Blaskowski refused to withdraw because his squad was singularly responsible for isolating the battalion objective. His selfless actions and steadfast tenacity forced the enemy to become decisively engaged by advancing assault elements, thereby preventing their escape. Staff Sergeant Blaskowski's decisive actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Matthew D. Blaskowski is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Riggsville, Cheboygan County, MI.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21744606/matthew-d_-blaskowski