Spc. Michael P. Pittman of Davenport, Iowa attended Rock Island High School, and worked as a painter before moving to Kansas to join the Army as a member of 1/4 Calvary Regiment based out of Fort Riley, Kan. He was looking for stability and the chance to travel, and dreams of being an art teacher. He thought the military could offer a path to that career. Just days before Michael was killed in Iraq, he was up for re-enlistment and recommended to serve as a chaplain's assistant, which would have taken him away from combat. Despite his deep faith, he turned down the offer and elected instead to continue serving on the front line and minister only in an unofficial capacity. Mike was given Military Rites at Rock Island National Cemetery prior to being cremated. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army's Good Conduct Medal. He was was killed in Baghdad, Iraq while he was on patrol in a Humvee at age 34.
Army
1st Squadron
4th Cavalry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas
Army
1st Squadron
4th Cavalry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas
Spc. Michael P. Pittman of Davenport, Iowa attended Rock Island High School, and worked as a painter before moving to Kansas to join the Army as a member of 1/4 Calvary Regiment based out of Fort Riley, Kan. He was looking for stability and the chance to travel, and dreams of being an art teacher. He thought the military could offer a path to that career. Just days before Michael was killed in Iraq, he was up for re-enlistment and recommended to serve as a chaplain's assistant, which would have taken him away from combat. Despite his deep faith, he turned down the offer and elected instead to continue serving on the front line and minister only in an unofficial capacity. Mike was given Military Rites at Rock Island National Cemetery prior to being cremated. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army's Good Conduct Medal. He was was killed in Baghdad, Iraq while he was on patrol in a Humvee at age 34.
Army
1st Squadron
4th Cavalry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas
Army
1st Squadron
4th Cavalry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Fort Riley, Kansas
Inscription
SPC US Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom
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