Spc. Borbonus of Boise, Idaho was a 2005 graduate of Boise High School and went into the Army right after graduating. He was a member of the USA Ski-team and Snowboard team where he attended Wood River Middle School. His parents own Falcon Crest Golf Course and Cloverdale Nursery where he worked briefly. John liked various sports, including skiing and lacrosse. He wanted to build his physical strength and thought joining the Army would do it. John was a big bold personality who grew into a tall, accomplished young man who had an impact on others. There are many instances where he influenced things, events, and people in a very positive fashion. He volunteered more than a hundred hours of community service to St. John´s Catholic Church. John changed lives and made a difference. John spoke fondly of family as he enthusiastically shared about snow boarding, traveling, hunting or fishing, yet showed a level of reserve that I respected. He had the ability to make anyone laugh. He could come across as extremely shy, and then out of nowhere he would surprise you with a practical joke, a very imaginative practical joke. It was impossible to go into a conversation with John and not walk away in a better mood with a better outlook on life. Private First Class John Borbonus was a true warrior and embodied characteristics every Soldier should strive to emulate. As a Platoon machine gunner and dismount, his versatility made him irreplaceable. He was attentive and diligent manning the Platoon machine gun. He was proud of his role protecting Soldiers to the right and left of him. Over the course of this deployment John had come to excel in making intelligent and accurate split second decisions. On the 12th of April 2007, John was manning a M240 machine gun in a primary guard position when a dump truck filled with explosives came speeding toward the barriers at the southern end of the Patrol Base. Without hesitation, or regard for his own safety John held his position and engaged the vehicle shooting the driver. John's heroism that day saved many Soldiers' lives. He was 19.
Army
4th Combat Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska
Army
4th Combat Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska
Spc. Borbonus of Boise, Idaho was a 2005 graduate of Boise High School and went into the Army right after graduating. He was a member of the USA Ski-team and Snowboard team where he attended Wood River Middle School. His parents own Falcon Crest Golf Course and Cloverdale Nursery where he worked briefly. John liked various sports, including skiing and lacrosse. He wanted to build his physical strength and thought joining the Army would do it. John was a big bold personality who grew into a tall, accomplished young man who had an impact on others. There are many instances where he influenced things, events, and people in a very positive fashion. He volunteered more than a hundred hours of community service to St. John´s Catholic Church. John changed lives and made a difference. John spoke fondly of family as he enthusiastically shared about snow boarding, traveling, hunting or fishing, yet showed a level of reserve that I respected. He had the ability to make anyone laugh. He could come across as extremely shy, and then out of nowhere he would surprise you with a practical joke, a very imaginative practical joke. It was impossible to go into a conversation with John and not walk away in a better mood with a better outlook on life. Private First Class John Borbonus was a true warrior and embodied characteristics every Soldier should strive to emulate. As a Platoon machine gunner and dismount, his versatility made him irreplaceable. He was attentive and diligent manning the Platoon machine gun. He was proud of his role protecting Soldiers to the right and left of him. Over the course of this deployment John had come to excel in making intelligent and accurate split second decisions. On the 12th of April 2007, John was manning a M240 machine gun in a primary guard position when a dump truck filled with explosives came speeding toward the barriers at the southern end of the Patrol Base. Without hesitation, or regard for his own safety John held his position and engaged the vehicle shooting the driver. John's heroism that day saved many Soldiers' lives. He was 19.
Army
4th Combat Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska
Army
4th Combat Brigade,
25th Infantry Division
Fort Richardson, Alaska
