Spec. Justin W. Linden of Portland Oregon. Raised in Clinton Wisconsin, he played in the outfield for the Clinton High School baseball team and earned an honorable mention on the Rock Valley All-Conference baseball team in 1999. After graduation, he and a few friends decided to move to Portland. He took a job as a manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken, where he was known as a boisterous worker, brightening the shifts of other workers by singing, joking and laughing. He dreamed of becoming a police officer, but secretly wanted to be a comedian. After the 9-11-2001 terrorist attacks on America, he enlisted in the National Guard, feeling that fighting for his country was right. He met Sarah Marshall while working for KFC and they were married on February 28, 2004, just before he deployed to Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, headquartered in Cottage Grove, Oregon, Justin was one five soldiers killed when individuals using improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades attacked their convoy. He was awarded The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Medal. Justin never showed fear in his service and his letters home reflected few worries. They were funny, and put smiles on every face. Justin was awarded The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Medal. He is survived by his wife; mother, Donna Beckman; father, Wayne; brothers, Carlyle, John and Jim; and grandparents, Charles and Violet Aska. (Bio written by Sue)
Spec. Justin W. Linden of Portland Oregon. Raised in Clinton Wisconsin, he played in the outfield for the Clinton High School baseball team and earned an honorable mention on the Rock Valley All-Conference baseball team in 1999. After graduation, he and a few friends decided to move to Portland. He took a job as a manager for Kentucky Fried Chicken, where he was known as a boisterous worker, brightening the shifts of other workers by singing, joking and laughing. He dreamed of becoming a police officer, but secretly wanted to be a comedian. After the 9-11-2001 terrorist attacks on America, he enlisted in the National Guard, feeling that fighting for his country was right. He met Sarah Marshall while working for KFC and they were married on February 28, 2004, just before he deployed to Iraq. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, headquartered in Cottage Grove, Oregon, Justin was one five soldiers killed when individuals using improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades attacked their convoy. He was awarded The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Medal. Justin never showed fear in his service and his letters home reflected few worries. They were funny, and put smiles on every face. Justin was awarded The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Medal. He is survived by his wife; mother, Donna Beckman; father, Wayne; brothers, Carlyle, John and Jim; and grandparents, Charles and Violet Aska. (Bio written by Sue)
Inscription
JUSTIN W LINDEN
SPC US ARMY
IRAQ
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/26/1981
DATE OF DEATH: 06/04/2004
