Michael Emerson Yashinski United States Army
Sergeant Michael Emerson Yashinski was born on October 8, 1979 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was the only child of former Marine Staff Sgt. James A. and Debora L. Yashinski.
During his early years, Michael and his family lived at various Marine Corps bases while his father served as an Artilleryman and then as a computer specialist. After James completed ten years of service with the Corps, the Yashinski family settled in Colorado, living in the Denver area for about eight years. They moved to Monument when Michael was in the eighth grade.
Michael attended Lewis Palmer High School and graduated in 1997. During his school years, Michael was active in baseball until junior high school, then played football and wrestled, and participated in the Boy Scouts. He was an avid black-powder muzzle loading enthusiast, as well as a champion tomahawk and knife thrower. He also participated as a historical re-enactor for the pre-1840 Era Mountain Men and Native American Indians, performing with his mother at numerous elementary schools, museums and Colorado state functions. Michael also enjoyed playing hockey and was a loyal fan of the Colorado Avalanche team
On June 25, 1997, Michael enlisted in the Army as a volunteer for "Airborne" duty and reported to the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to attend basic combat training. Michael graduated from the nine-week basic course on September 4, 1997 and then reported to the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Here Michael attended advanced individual training in military occupational specialty (MOS) 31U signal support systems specialist. After completing 17 weeks of training, Michael graduated in January 1998 and reported to the U.S. Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga. for parachutist training. Following three intensive weeks of training, Michael graduated from the Airborne School and was awarded the Army Basic Parachutist Badge on February 20, 1998. This also changed his MOS to 31U1P (SSSS-Parachutist) and made him available for assignment to any airborne unit worldwide.
Michael reported in February 1998 to his first duty assignment at Fort Bragg, N.C. with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was assigned as a signal specialist with Headquarters and Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. Here Michael worked in the battalion communications section performing a wide variety of signal support missions across the battalion. On June 27, 2000 Michael reenlisted in the Army. For his hard work and demonstrated potential, Michael was selected to attend the Primary Leader Development Course at the Fort Bragg NCO Academy. On December 15, 2000 he graduated from this leadership course and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In February 2001, Michael reported for duty in Europe and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy. Michael first served in the Brigade's Reconnaissance Detachment from February 20 01 to March 2002 as a radio-communications specialist. Then he was assigned to the 173rd's Headquarters and Headquarters Company from March 1 to August 13, 2002 with the Brigade's Communications Section. On August 15, 2002, Michael was assigned to the 501st Forward Support Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. During his time in Europe, Michael participated in numerous training exercises in Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Tunisia.
On March 27, 2003 Michael was deployed with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was among the first troops to air-land by C-17 aircraft at Harir Airfield seized by the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Kurdish held area of northern Iraq. Here he helped contribute to missions in support of ground combat operations. In April 2003 his unit entered Kirkuk in support of nation building efforts and stability operations.
Michael lost his life while serving his country on December 24, 2003 when he was accidentally electrocuted while installing communications wire at Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq.
During his six and a half years of service to the nation, Michael was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (posthumous), Army Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp (second award), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon (posthumous), the Parachutist Badge, and the Expert Marksman Qualification Badges for the M16 Rifle and the Hand Grenade. Michael was also awarded the Hungarian parachutist badge during a jump exchange in May 2002.
Michael is survived by:
As one of the largest ground forces in the world, the U.S. Army needs to make sure that all forces can get the correct information. The Army communications maintenance team is responsible for making sure that all communications equipment is in top working order. This equipment allows the Army to track and direct troop, aircraft and ship movements.
Duties of a Signal Support Systems Specialist include:
As a Signal Support Systems Specialist, SGT Yashinski was primarily responsible for working with battlefield Signal support systems and terminal devices. His duties included integrating Signal systems and networks and installing, operating and maintaining designated radio and data distribution systems.
Other key mission tasks include: |
Michael's desire to serve in the United States Army was sparked by his family's long and proud heritage of military service dating back to William the Conqueror. In addition to his father's service as a Marine, Michael's paternal grandfather Alfred Yashinski served in the U.S. Army. His maternal grandfather Leo Sheepwash was a career Marine and Vietnam veteran, and his grandmother Marge Sheepwash served in the U.S. Navy. Michael's maternal great grandfather John Nelson Sheepwash served in the Canadian Army and was a WWII veteran.
Bio provided by: LTC James Bullinger - Fort Rucker, AL