Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on the death of 1st Lieutenant Michael Fasnacht, who was killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday near Tikrit, Iraq. The Minnesota soldier is being praised today for his love of family and country.
The army lieutenant from Mankato was in charge of 30 other soldiers as a platoon leader in Iraq, part of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Fasnacht grew up in Janesville and went through the ROTC program at Minnesota State University Mankato.
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MARK STEELE: The Army Lieutenant from Mankato was in charge of 30 other soldiers, as a platoon leader in Iraq, part of the first battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, third Infantry Division. Fashanu grew up in Janesville and went through the ROTC program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. One of his teachers there was Lieutenant Colonel Pat O'Sullivan.
PAT O'SULLIVAN: As soon as we found out yesterday from classmates of his, we contacted army casualty assistance officials to try to confirm. And all they would tell me is what's been available to the open press is that he was writing as track commander of his Bradley Fighting Vehicle, leading a convoy near Tikrit, and they hit what we call an IED improvised explosive device on the side of the road. Right side of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle hit the explosive device and Mike was killed.
MARK STEELE: O'Sullivan describes FastNet as a quiet, humble, dedicated man, respected by his fellow soldiers. He graduated from Mankato in 2003 and was commissioned into the US Army. He arrived in Iraq in about January. O'Sullivan says he's heard by email from some of Forsyth's friends in Iraq. He says they plan to hold a Memorial service there this weekend for the fallen soldier. O'Sullivan says FastNet was a standout cadet during his time in Mankato.
PAT O'SULLIVAN: Just a superb performer when he was in our ROTC program. So his loss is huge to me personally because I knew him very, very well. Kind of your ideal ROTC cadet, just was destined for great things as an army officer.
MARK STEELE: Fasteners family issued a statement on the death of their son and husband. It read in part Michael will be remembered for his devotion to his loving wife, Tressa Ann, his selfless military work, kind faith and unwavering love of his family. The family then requested privacy.
The soldier's death in Iraq is at least the second time a fast nut from Janesville has died in combat. A cousin, Air Force Staff Sergeant David Fassnacht, was killed in Vietnam in July 1967 when his base was shelled. Among the Minnesota leaders sending condolences to the Fassnacht family was Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty spoke on his weekly Radio show.
TIM PAWLENTY: Another example of somebody who came from a military family, military tradition, tradition of patriotism. And of course, as with all of these fallen soldiers, we stop, and we reflect, and we give thanks. We want to express our gratitude and certainly want to say to the family of these fallen soldiers that we are grateful for them, that we wouldn't have the country we have without them. And here we here again with Michael, we want to express that on behalf of Minnesota.
MARK STEELE: First Lieutenant Fassnacht is the 23rd Minnesotan to have died in the Mideast during the war in Iraq. Mark Steele, Minnesota Public Radio.