Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen, 22, of Wilsonville, Ore., died June 23 at Ganjkin village, Pusht Rod district, Farah province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Troop B, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

A Fort Bragg soldier was killed in Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.
Pfc. Anthony T. Justesen, 22, of Wilsonville, Ore., died Wednesday at Ganjkin village, Pusht Rod district, Farah province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to Troop B, 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Justesen is the fourth soldier assigned to Fort Bragg who has died in Afghanistan in the past week.
Justesen's sister, Samantha Justesen, 20, said her brother growing up had a love for reading and games that made you think, such as chess.
"We became really, really close as we grew older," said Samantha Justesen, who was reached by phone in Woodburn, Ore., on Thursday night. "He was my best friend."
She said her brother was a fan of underdogs, which is why he followed the Oakland Raiders football team. He was always competitive and put others first, his sister said.
Samantha, who nicknamed her brother "Wichi" based on an inside joke between the two, said her brother had talked off-and-on about joining the Army growing up.
He was working at a Jiffy Lube when a recruiter came and talked to him, she said.
Justesen joined the Army on Oct. 10, 2008 and entered One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Ky. Upon completion of training, he reported to Fort Bragg and was assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team in February of 2009, according to a news release from the 82nd Airborne Division.
He deployed with the 4-73rd Cavalry Regiment to Afghanistan in January of 2010.
Justesen's commander, Capt. William Lewis, remembered him for his courage and devotion.
"Pfc. Anthony Justesen was the consummate professional," Lewis said in a press release. "He conducted himself with resolve and calmness usually reserved for seasoned veterans.
"It has been an honor to serve as his commander."
Missed home
Justesen's sister said they exchanged letters often during his deployment overseas. He missed his family and talked of coming home in the letters, she said.
"I had actually just talked to him for the first time in three months earlier this week," she said. "Just before he left to go on this mission."
She said she last saw him on Thanksgiving, and she reassured him that he would be fine.
Justesen is also survived by his mother, Shawna Rehder, and his father, Robert Justesen.
His awards and decorations in the Army include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
A memorial in his honor will be held in Afghanistan.


http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2010/06/24/1009201?sac=Home