An Army medic from Marshfield has died in Afghanistan, after he was attacked by insurgents. The Pentagon confirms that 27-year-old Staff Sergeant Joseph Altmann died on Christmas Day, just a few days after his own birthday. Officials say he was hit by small-arms fire. His family says this is Altmann’s third tour of duty; he previously served in Iraq, and had recently enlisted for another four years in the Army. His parents are John and Janice Altmann. Their son was a medic whose unit was based out of Hawaii. Altmann had no children; he just got married in February of this year.
Wisconsin’s role in Iraq
October 22, 2011 By
President Barack Obama announced Friday that U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year, marking the end of a conflict that’s gone one for nearly nine years. During that time, Wisconsin played an active part in the war and the rebuilding of Iraq.
More than 12,000 Wisconsin National Guard members have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9-11. The most recent deployment was the largest from the state since World War II, with 3,200 members of the 32nd Infantry Brigade heading overseas.
Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Guthrie, a spokeswoman with the Guard, says the majority of Wisconsin’s troops are now home. Only about 100 remain in Iraq right now, but she notes that the state’s units accomplished every mission that was given to them since 2003.
Guthrie says they hope their presence has made a difference and the Guard is extending its best wishes to the people of the Iraq.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports 0:57
WHBY’s Mike Kemmeter contributed to this report.
State offering job help to veterans
October 5, 2011 By
An event taking place in Green Bay this weekend is aimed at helping Wisconsin veterans find work. Governor Scott Walker says the “Hiring Our Heroes” event is open to military personnel and their spouses who have skills many employers in the state are looking for. He says they hope to match those veterans with companies who can use the abilities they learned while deployed. [Read more...]
Few details on Appleton soldier’s death
September 30, 2011 By
Flags should be at half-staff Saturday to honor the life of Army Sergeant Garrick Eppinger. The 25-year-old was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month.
It was first reported that the soldier from Appleton was killed in the line of duty but now his family is saying that Eppinger wasn’t in the line of duty and was working a desk job at the Bagram Airbase. Details surrounding the death haven’t been [Read more...]
Darlington soldier killed in Afghanistan
September 23, 2011 By
The Department of Defense confirmed Friday that a soldier from Wisconsin was one of two men killed when insurgents attacked their unit in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Specialist Jakob J. Roelli of Darlington died after his unit was hit with gunfire. Also killed was Specialist. Robert Dyas of Nampa, Idaho. The two men were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley, Kansas. [Read more...]
