One Wednesday, the Department of Defense made the following announcement:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, 42, of Orange Park, Fla., died Oct. 23, in Chak District, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, from small arms fire while on dismounted patrol during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N. C.
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CWO Duskin was a green beret with 19 years of service in the US Armed Forces. A Florida native, Duskin was a 1988 graduate of Middleburg High School where he was a lineman of the football team. He joined the Army in 1993 as a forward observer. He served in the Army for three years and then joined the National Guard. In 1988, Duskin completed the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Duskin was mobilized for active duty in 2001. He was deployed five times, twice to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan, and then he became a Special Forces instructor at Fort Bragg. He was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan two more times. He had been in Afghanistan for six weeks at the time of his death.
Tony Gunyon, a childhood friend and Navy veteran,
recalls talking with Duskin about the risks that come with the job of protecting their country. That was the last time they talked.
"He just point blank said, he said, 'I approach it like my job.' He goes, 'It's a privilege to do the job,'" Gonyon said while crying. "Sat right there and told me." Source
Here are some of the tributes that appeared on his Facebook page:
One: “Mike you are a man that America can be proud of and a hero for all.”
Another: “Mike Duskin rest easy Ranger. I’ll make link at the big patrol base in the sky.”
Another: “We lost another hero.”
CWO Michael Duskin was a heavily decorated soldier, His awards and decorations include:
three Bronze Star Medals, including one that was awarded posthumously, two Meritorious Service Medals, a Purple Heart, the Joint Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab. Source
Michael Duskin is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, and a 24-year-old stepson who is also in the military. Duskin's stepson will escort his body to Dover Air Force Base where he will be met by Duskin's parents. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Thank you, Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. Duskin, for your selfless service to our country. Poppies are the universal symbols of remembrance. We will never forget your service and your sacrifice. Rest in peace. As his dad said:
“He was driven by patriotism,” .... “What else is there?”