Soldier Honored: William E. Hasenflu

Army Staff Sergeant William E. Hasenflu, 38, of Bradenton, Fla., was a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. He was on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan when his unit was ambushed by enemy forces using small arms fire while taking detainees into custody in the Jaji District on September 28, 2008. SSG Hasenflu died from the wounds he sustained.

SSG Hasenflu enlisted in the Navy as soon as he graduated high school in 1995 in Meadville, Pa., where he grew up. He also served in the Navy Reserves and the National Guard before joining the Army in May 2005. A husband and father of three girls, SSG Hasenflu helped his wife homeschool their daughters and loved singing old-time Christmas carols with them.

SSG Hasenflu was a highly decorated soldier with awards including: Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Action Badge and many more.

He is survived by his wife and daughters, one of whom is a Folds of Honor Children’s Fund Scholarship recipient.