SPC James David Wertish - US Army Afghanistan. January 18, 1989 - July 16th, 2009. Photos by MN PGR
SPC James D. Wertish of rural Olivia, Minnesota, graduated from Bold High School in 2007 and had joined the Minnesota Army National Guard on February 28, 2006. He graduated from One Station Unit Training as a 31B, Military Police at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
James deployed to Iraq in April of 2009, assigned to the 34th Military Police Company, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, based at Stillwater, MN. He was one of three National Guard soldiers who were killed near Basra in Iraq.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star Service), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
James is survived by his parents, David and Kim (Rathman) Wertish; two sisters, Amber (husband Josh Weber) and Carolyn; a brother Tony; a niece and nephew; paternal granmother Delores Wertish; maternal grandparents Audrey and LeRoy Goelz.
Aug 9, 2009
Photos: 32
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