Honoree: Michael P. Bartley


Michael P. Bartley
Dates: Died January 15, 2011
Hometown: Barnhill, IL
Branch of Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Player: Max Herendeen

Army Sergeant Michael P. Bartley, 23, of Barnhill, IL was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas. He died January 15, 2011, in Mosul, Iraq of wounds sustained when an Iraqi soldier he was training shot him with a small-arms fire. The shooter, who was immediately killed, had apparently smuggled real bullets into the training exercise. SGT Bartley was serving during Operation New Dawn.

SGT Bartley, a Barnhill, Illinois native, graduated from Fairfield Community High School in 2007. A basketball player, he was remembered for his optimism and strong work ethic. Shortly after high school, he joined the Army and had recently re-enlisted and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Friend Donald Austin commented, “I watched this boy grow up into an awesome man. I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for giving his life fighting for my freedom.”

Sgt. Bartley is survived by his mother, his father and grandmothers.