Marine Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush, 24, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Sgt. Kashkoush was assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; died Jan. 23 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.

WKYC.com -- CHAGRIN FALLS -- Word came down Thursday that the third serviceman from our area has died in as many days. The latest causality, 24-year old Sgt. Michael Kashkoush, is from Chagrin Falls, and graduated from CFHS in 2001.

The U.S. Department of Defense reports he died January 23rd from wounds received in Iraq's Al Anbar province.

Mark Iammarino was his high school history teacher and coach. Just hours after word came down, his students started talking.

"I've heard it already today, students want to know who he was, what he was like, what he did, and look at his pictures in the yearbook," Iammarino said.

What they'll hear are stories of a bright but quiet alum.

"Mike was one that just about everyone on the staff knew," said Chagrin superintendent David Axner.

He helped take the football and wrestling teams to winning seasons, then graduated and enlisted in the Marines.

"He seemed like a kid where that [the military] would appeal to him. Discipline of military, and possibility to represent the country," Iammarino said.

He was a member of the 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Okinawa, Japan--before taking position in Iraq.

His family tells Channel 3:

[We} would like to thank the communities of Chagrin Falls and Cleveland for the support and kindness shown us during this very difficult time. Michael was an honorable young man who served his corps and his country with the utmost pride and respect.

Funeral arrangements for Marine Sgt. Kashkoush have not yet been arranged.

Marine Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush was killed in action on 1/23/07.