Remember Our Heroes
Army Staff Sgt. Ergin V Osman, 35, of Jacksonville, N.C.
SSgt Osman was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died May 26, 2011 of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Also killed were 1st Lt. John M. Runkle, Staff Sgt. Edward D. Mills Jr., Sgt. Thomas A. Bohall, Spc. Adam J. Patton and Sgt. Louie A. Ramos Velazquez.
SSgt Osman grew up in Sterling Heights and Harrison Township and attended Sterling Heights High School.
Family and friends of SSgt Osman say the soldier was "born and bred" for the service. His father was a Green Beret during the Vietnam War.
"I think he somewhat followed in his father's footsteps,' said family friend, Geri Witt. "He was a very wonderful young man."
SSgt Osman joined the Marines in 1997 and became part of an elite reconnaissance unit. He served as a Marine for 10 years before switching over to the Army where he was a top honor graduate in Ranger school.
This was SSgt Osman's ninth deployment.
Son, Aidan, remembers good times with his father, "We went down to Ft. Campbell and shot targets with a BB gun." Aidan says he wants to follow in his father's footsteps.
Aidan and Zeren displayed U.S. flags on the front lawn of their family's home along witha poster that says, "Miss You Daddy", with a hand-drawn image of their father.
June 03, 2011
We love you and miss you Ergin. Your sister is in good hands with me and she has your fighting strength. I will forever miss your laugh, your smile and your company. You live on in the hearts of all those who know you. I wish we could have had more time brother!~ Anthony B.
Tampa, Florida
June 03, 2011
Ergin,
Your life was a life well lived. Your example will be followed for years through the lives of those you touched. As I'm sure your blood family is pained so too is your military family. Until we meet again I will remember you always. ~ SSgt Murphy, Virginia Beach, Virginia
June 02, 2011
SSgt Osman,
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever My deepest condolences and deepest prayers to your family. "Fallen but never forgotten. ~ GySgt Czerwinski, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
June 01, 2011
SSgt Osman,
You will be missed by many my brother. It has been 4 years since I ran into in Iraq and you were the same smiling, happy go-lucky man. I am remembering all of our time together in 3/8. My deepest condolences and deepest prayers to your family. RIP Brother ~ 1stSgt Kindrick,
Englewood, Ohio
SSgt Osman's awards and decorations include:
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation with Combat Distinguishing Device
Army Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal with Valor Device
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Ranger Tab
Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags throughout Michigan to be lowered to half-staff Monday, June 6, in honor of SSgt Osman.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Buriel is expected to be in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.
SSgt Osman is survived by his mother, Sara; wife, PFC Kristin Osman; father, Mike; and two sons from a previous marriage, Aiden, 9, and Zeren, 5.
Army Staff Sgt. Ergin V Osman was killed in action on 5/26/11.
1 comment:
Ergin and I were best friends when I lived in Detroit. We were just 13 or so and I wish I had found this sooner to pay respects. He and I were both from a military family background and we both wanted to be within the military. I remember us building a tree fort, skating thru the parks, taking girls to the movies, hanging out in a section of woods doing "recon" in BDU's, getting taken home by the cops because we had survival knives on us and so many other kid things. I am glad to see that he too followed his passion to be the best soldier he could be. Even at our young ages we both knew the military was our home and family. Even though I had not seen nor spoken to him since I moved away from Detroit. He has been and always will be in my memories.
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