Three fallen heroes remembered for their lives and service

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins | A pair of boots, a rifle, a helmet, identification tags and a photo are displayed in...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins | A pair of boots, a rifle, a helmet, identification tags and a photo are displayed in the front of a small wooden structur at a remote combat outpost in northeastern Afghanistan. Tokens of friendship and respect surround the display to show a fallen comrad, Pvt Michael Murdock, that he will not be forgotten.  see less | View Image Page

JALALABAD, AFGHANISTAN

09.21.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. David Hopkins 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

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By Staff Sgt. David Hopkins
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Three fallen heroes from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, were honored in two services at remote combat outposts in northeastern Afghanistan, Sept. 15, 2008.

The tree-covered mountains looked peaceful surrounding the service locations like they could be a part of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado or the Cascade Mountains in Washington, but the calm scene can be deceiving and the Soldiers who live, fight and bleed in those mountains know of a hidden violence that can take their fellow Soldiers' lives.

Spc. Marques Knight, infantryman with 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, from San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and Pvt. Michael Dinterman, infantryman with 1-26, from Littlestown, Pa., were honored at Korengal Outpost and Pvt. Michael Murdock, fire direction specialist with 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, from Chocowinity, N.C., was honored at Combat Outpost Lybert. They were all remembered for their sacrifices and for the lives they lived.

"You should be certain and proud at the times of their death that their thoughts were solely to keep each of you alive," Lt. Col. Brett Jenkinson, 1-26 commander, said. "So what was the value of their lives? The value of their lives was exactly that: a demonstration of values, both moral and physical courage, to do the right thing in truly desperate times. They saved the day when the day was almost lost."

Knight and Dinterman died on Sept. 6, from wounds received in two separate attacks, while out on patrols in the Korengal valley. The two Soldiers were very different, coming from opposite sides of the country and having varied combat experience, but both men fought for a cause and for their brothers in arms.

"One had been to Iraq for more than a year," Jenkinson said. "He had some experience and a reputation. The other was a brand new private. What they both had in common on the day of their deaths is they both took a dive for you all, not for themselves. They both gave everything for your protection. That quality is what separates a Soldier from a warrior."

Knight stood out amongst his fellow Soldiers, not because of his towering height, but because he used his experience to be a roll model.

"Spc. Knight was one of those people who everyone knew," Capt. Jimmy Howell, Viper company commander, said. "It was impossible for him to blend in, largely because he towered over everyone, but also because he was such a role model for so many young Soldiers."

Dinterman was a much more recent addition to the unit, but he was no less a part of the unit he fought with.

"Pfc. Dinterman had only been in the company for three weeks, and many outside of 1st platoon did not know him well, some not at all," Howell said. "His death, however, is still tragic, and his loss is still great. Even though he was not with us long, he was still family, and we loved him as a brother."

Friends and fellow Soldiers of fallen hero, Pvt. Michael Murdock, gathered in a small hut amongst the mud and stone huts on a mountain slope at Combat Outpost Lybert to remember a Soldier with "an infectious smile."

Murdock died on the on the anniversary of the event that started the war in which he fought and died, Sept. 11. Seven years after the attack on the World Trade Center buildings and Pentagon, a hero gave his life so these events will never happen again. Murdock will be remembered for his sacrifice.

"I wonder if Murdock knew he was a hero. Did we tell him enough times that we appreciated him? Did he know that whatever happened to him he made a difference to the world? I can't say for sure that Murdock new all these things, but I'm pretty sure he did. I think his crooked, quirky smile was an indicator that he knew all these things and now he can rest in peace," Lt. Col. Salvatore Petrovia, 1-6 commander, said.

Howell spoke of the brotherhood and fighting spirit of the Soldier that live in the memory of Knight and Dinterman, but the same can be said of Murdock and all fallen heroes.

"While we fight everyday to protect those who cannot protect themselves in this country we sacrifice day to day for our brothers on our right and on our left," Howell said. "Spc. Knight and Pfc. Dinterman answered that call and sadly made the ultimate sacrifice while serving side by side with their brothers. Their deaths are a tragedy, but their spirits live among us as an example for all of us to follow."