My Hero. My Son. Staff Sgt. Michael A. Shank.
Shankdawg - (Vanilla Gorilla) was in the Army.
He had been to Bosnia two times.
Along with being at Johnson Island, Hawaii
For a year.(2000) In Iraq and then in Afghanistan
There is a page about my son and his Army life
Where to start? At his start or now?
His start I guess
He came into my life in June of 1975.
In the State of Minnesota.
And He left my life November 28, 2006
We have lived in Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas.
I am happy to say he did good in school.
He attended high school in Dodd City, Texas.
Upon graduation, in 1994, he worked for the City of Bonham Water Department.
He joined the Army in Feb 1996 as Military Police.
Went to FT. McCellan, Alabama for
basic training and AIT.
Reported to FT. Bragg, NC June 1996.
He went to the 65th
MP CO ABN. Deployed to Bosnia
(Camp Kime, Camp Colt) July 96' to April 97'
Went to Airborne School Ft. Bening, GA, Aug-Sep 97'
Went to the 21st MO CO ABN Jan 98.
Went back to Bosnia (Tuzla Main) March 98' to Aug 98'
Went to Johnston Island, HI.
Dec 99' to Dec 00'
Reenlisted for three years March 99'
Went to Primary Leadership
Development Course Oct 00'
Jan 00' to Dec 2002 Ft. Sill, OK.
Dec 2002 to sometime in 2005
Kasiserslautern, Germany
In 2004 he went to Iraq
Then back to Germany for a year
Then to Afghanistan, where he gave his
life while serving his country on
November 28, 2006. He was killed in Logar Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive
device detonated near their vehicle during combat
operations.
SCHOOLS: Combat Lifesaver Course, Airborne School, Ardmore School, PLDC
AWARDS: Army service ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (2), Armed Forces Service Medal (2)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Nato Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, Army
Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Noncommissioned Officer
Development Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award
Reenlisted 3-13-02 again.Then again in the spring of 2006.
His commendations.
1. Army Commendation Medal 2. Army Achievement Medal 3. Good Conduct Medal
4.Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 5. Armed Forces Service Medal 6. NCO Professional Development Ribbon 7. Army Service Ribbon 8. Overseas Service Ribbon 9. NATO Medal 10. Army Superior Unit Award