Army Pfc. Jackie L. Diener II, 20, of Boyne City, Mich.
Pfc. Diener assigned to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Nov. 21, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by enemy small-arms fire.
*Was posthumously promoted from private to private first class.
Pfc Diener graduated from Boyne City High School in 2009, where he participated in football, baseball and wrestling. In his junior year, he was an exchange student in Denmark.
Pfc Diener joined the Army in March 2011, arriving at Fort Drum in July. He deployed to Afghanistan in September. He served as a cavalry scout.
"He was a sweetheart. Very quiet and a good kid," said grandmother, Donna Diener. She said her grandson was eager to join the military. "This is something he chose. He wanted to do it. He wanted to serve his country."
Principal, Karen Jarema, said, " Jack was a very independent student and had strong desires. He was able to be successful at anything he wished to be."
Wrestling coach Don Nohel said he was proud of Diener's growth both as an athlete and a student.
"He was not afraid to work for something he set his mind to," Nohel said. "As a wrestler, I saw him overcome many difficult moments and bounce back and put himself out there again."
"Jack was a unique individual, not really caught up in what other people did, but more interested in making his own way and mark in the world. It is sad that Jack's adventure ended so soon. We will miss him," Nohel said.
Pfc Diener's awards and decorations include:
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Army Combat Action Badge
Pfc Diener is survived by his parents, Val and Jack; sister, Marcie and grandmother, Donna.
Army Pfc. Jackie L. Diener II was killed in actin on 11/21/11.
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