Army Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman, 25, of Genevieve, Mo.

Sgt. Beckerman was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Dec. 31, 2010 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Beckerman arrived at Fort Campbell in January last year and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Support Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

"He was the type of person that you could look up to and respect. He loved his family. He loved his daughter. He loved his wife," said Rosie Weisbrod, a family friend. "He loved life," added her husband, Dan. "He lived it to its fullest."

Relatives tell NewsChannel 5 Sgt. Beckerman enlisted in the National Guard at age 18 after graduating from high school in Ste. Genevieve. He spent two years in the National Guard before enlisting in the Army.

Sgt. Beckerman completed tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was an explosives ordinance disposal specialist. Family says he loved his work and took great pride in his duties.

Beckerman joined the Army in September 2004. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

He is survived by his wife, Spc Margaretta A. Beckerman and daughter, Brianna J. Beckerman of Tennessee and his parents Lisa and Steve Beckerman of Missouri.

Army Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman was killed in action on 12/31/10.