SFC Matthew Blaskowski
Numerous times, Staff Sgt. Blaskowski placed himself at great risk while engaging the enemy positions and relaying directions to his machine gun crews. Blaskowski’s unwavering valor and understanding of his mission fixed a determined enemy and prevented them from maneuvering in any direction, thereby allowing 1st Platoon to destroy 17 enemy in the orchard, breaking all resistance in the valley. Blaskowski fought with dogged determination even after he was wounded in the leg pulling a wounded solider to safety, maintaining his position for another hour until he was able to help other wounded soldiers to safety.
As 3rd Platoon Weapon Squad Leader for Chosen Company 2rd Battalion (Airborne) 503rd Infantry, Staff Sgt. Blaskowski displayed undaunted gallantry and valor without regard for his own safety under heavy enemy machine gun and RPG fire for over four hours while wounded near Bulac Kalay, Afghanistan in the Arghandab Valley. His actions reflect great credit upon himself, CJF 76 and the United States Army.
–From SSG Matthew Blaskowski’s Silver Star citation
…Matt was known for being a mentor, for his leadership, loyalty, commitment and humor by all those who served with him and knew him in civilian life. He was a 1998 graduate of Cheboygan, Michigan High School where he played football and basketball and was a member of the track team. Matt loved outdoor sports including hunting and fishing. His family as well as his military “family” all concur that Matt had the innate ability to make those around him laugh and feel comfortable. He was always available to give a helping hand and to listen.
Matt enlisted in the Army as an infantryman on 17 November, 1998. His military career initially took him to Ft. Drum, NY where he was assigned to the 10th Mtn Division as a rifleman and a scout with the 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry then later with the 4th Battalion 31st Infantry. In 2002 Matt completed Airborne School and was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry (Airborne) where he held a myriad of leadership positions. He had earned a college degree in Wildlife Forestry Management and aspired to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point…
On Sunday night, September 23rd, 2007, Cheryl and Terry Blaskowski, in their home in Cheboygan, Michigan, received a visit from military officials to tell them that Matthew - Sergeant Ski – had been killed by a sniper’s bullet when the Firebase had been under attack. He was 27 years old.
At the ceremony on September 28th, Matthew’s platoon leader, 1LT Bradley Winn said, “He was the mentor and platoon sergeant that I had always dreamed of - leading from the front and being an everyday hero that all of the Soldiers, including myself, looked up to. Sergeant Ski was the epitome of a professional Soldier that will forever set the bar for Battle Company, Chosen Company and the whole Rock family.”
Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski, Matt’s parents, and Stan, Matt’s brother, would like to honor Matt’s memory by welcoming home the men of the 173rd, 2/503 Sky Soldiers.
Leta Carruth writes:
So many of your have been integral in providing literally TONS and TONS of support to the 2-503 while they are deployed for 15 months to eastern Afghanistan. These Warriors and their fellow Battalions in the Brigade have endured so much and still have a few months to go before they redeploy to Europe. As one last “Thank You” and to stamp our seal of appreciation on their deployment we are planning a Fourth of July “style” welcome home party for the 2-503. Of course there is just one tiny little detail or two…1) They are home based in Vicenza, Italy and have no American community to provide a proper welcome home and 2) We need to raise the funds to send over there for some good old American hot dogs, hamburgers, trimmings and BEER!…