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  Michael E Koch
Name: Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Michael E. Koch

Age: 29

From: State College, Pa.

Assigned to East Coast-based SEAL team

Incident: Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Michael E. Koch died Feb. 4, from wounds sustained from small arms fire during combat operations in Iraq.
Died: February 04, 2008

Navy SEAL from State College dies in Iraq

The Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy SEAL from State College, Pa., has been killed in action in Iraq.

Michael Koch and fellow SEAL Nathan Hardy, from Durham, N.H., died Feb. 4 after being wounded by small-arms fire, the Defense Department said. Both men were stationed in Norfolk, Va.

“There are only approximately 2,500 SEALs in the Navy and they really are a brotherhood,” said Naval Special Warfare spokesman Lt. David Luckett. “This is another unfortunate reminder of the risks and sacrifices these amazing warriors and their families make on a daily basis.”

Koch leaves behind his parents and a fiancee. He enlisted in July 1998 and entered SEAL training in January 1999, according to The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. He received the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Hardy is the son of a University of New Hampshire professor. It was his fourth deployment in Iraq, according to his father, Stephen Hardy, a professor of kinesiology. His mother, Donna Hardy, is an administrative assistant in UNH’s psychology department.

Family: Navy SEAL was quiet, but ‘fabulous at what he did’

The Associated Press


Naval Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch attended Penn State University, but left to enlist in the Navy in 1998 and entered SEAL training in 1999.

Joining the elite Special Forces was always his goal, said his father, Donald Koch.

“That’s why he went into the Navy — to try out for the SEALs,” Koch said. “He was very humble and quiet but fabulous at what he did.”

Koch, 29, of State College, Pa., was killed Feb. 4 from wounds suffered from small-arms fire in Iraq. He was a 1996 high school graduate and was assigned to Virginia Beach, Va.

His family is close. His father, a 20-year Air Force veteran, camped out in the woods while Koch was going through his SEAL training in 1999, trying to put himself through some of the same experiences his son was enduring.

Koch served in Kosovo and Afghanistan, winning the Bronze Star among other honors. Family outings might include skydiving, snowmobiling or scuba diving.

One Christmas, he told his younger brother, Matthew, and younger sister, Tiffany, to peek in the garage. They each had a new motorcycle.

He also is survived by his mother, Jean.

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Prayers & Condolences For:
Michael E Koch
BY miyembro on May 12, 2008
  Your sacrifice will remain in our hearts for a lifetime,

with intense gratitude. May God bless you and your family.

Rest Safely and Securely in God's Loving Arms.
 


Prayers & Condolences For:
Michael E Koch
BY Anonymous on May 12, 2008
  I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
 


Prayers & Condolences For:
Michael E Koch
BY Anonymous on Apr 09, 2008
  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving our country. We are free because of brave men like you. May you rest in peace. My condolences to your family and friends.
 


Prayers & Condolences For:
Michael E Koch
BY Anonymous on Apr 07, 2008
  May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.


 


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Blue C. Rowe

I am the Chaplain, along with 1SG Obalabi, who made this notification. This was my fifth death notification in 2009. I remembered this one like it was yesterday, and I routinely think about 1SG Rowe’s wife and their son, who was seven at the time. This notification stands out to me because we had to come back to the house a few times because no one was home. We finally saw a light on around 2130, and I and 1SG O went to the door and knocked. 1SG Rowe’s wife answered the door, and it was clear that his wife was not registering why we were there. She did invite us, and we sat down at the table, and ISG O made the notification. 1SG Rowe’s wife said, "Are you sure?" She asked that question five times, and I finally said, " Ma’am, we would not be here if we were not sure. Her response to us was, I just spoke to him a couple of days ago, and he was supposed to come home next week. She immediately got up from the table, called her dad, and notified him. She collapsed to the floor and was crying. The 1SG and I just stood there. We were there for a while, and I remembered that when she asked me to pray, I had to pause a few times to keep from losing it. Cindy, I thought about your husband through the years, and I often wondered how you and your son are doing. I have often prayed for you and your family. And I thank your husband for his sacrifice to our country. I do hope you see this, and I will continue to pray for you and your family. God Bless You Chaplain Will Strong Jr. US Army Retired Romans 8:37


Jose L. Montenegro Jr

I would like the family to know that Jose is honored at the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Irvine, CA. I picked his name to place a rose by his name at Panel 20, Line12. Thank you to him for his dedication and service. God's blessings to you.


Luke J Mercardante

I was flying convoy escort overhead that fateful night. Each April I pause and remember both 1sgt Mercardante and Cpl Wilks. May we never forget


James C Matteson

He was not in a Bradley but the turret of humv while fighting gallantly from his position a armor piercing RPG hit SSgt. James. C. Matteson'447211s MARK19 burning off the grenades going straight through his heart during an ambush.


Rickey E. Jones

I meant Rickey Jones in Iraq, October 2005. My deepest condolences to his family: Sincerely SSG. Kassebaum


Derek Argel

I think I still owe you beer. Catch up later bro


Eric S. Patton

Thank you for your service!


Douglas C Desjardins

Our family mission; US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Inc., has sent care packages in his name to troops deployed during the 2025 holiday season. Always Remember!


Patrick J Miller

Miss You Love You


Todd Beamer

Let's roll, RIP Brother!


Russell P Borea

I love you so much. Thank you for your sacrifice.


Michael J Crutchfield

Miss you Cruthfield. Wish I wouldm have had the chance to play chess with you.


Jason C. Ramseyer

When one thinks of the Marines they think of men like SSGT Ram. A Marines, Marine. A leader, not only in title, but also within the respect of his men above and below him…


Jonathan Castro

No greater love hath a man than to give his life for his friends.


Charles Dusty Parrish

Man what a day that was, as someone who was with a different company but same battalion we were just getting ready to role out on our mission when I heard. Man you were a good guy Parrish, gave good workout advice as well as good supplements. Generally just a positive attitude. Think about you alot brother, I pray you are resting easy. God bless


Bruno G. De Solenni

sgt rawl retired


Bruno G. De Solenni

how can i ever forget he help me work on mrap. iam the one they blame


Philip A. Murphy-Sweet

Phil worked for me when he volunteered to deploy to Iraq with the Joint Contracting Command. He was a great officer, a great friend and an incredible husband/father. He was just a couple of days away from returning from his deployment. I received an email from him on 5 April requesting to stay a bit longer so he could finish the job started. I had not yet responded to his email when I was notified by our Commanding Office on Easter morning that Phil had been killed. Miss you Phil!


David A Wilkey Jr

A good young man. My son's best friend.


Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

It's been 20 years since your passing... However, I never forgotten the day you told me I am married, I am going to have a baby, and day your son was born... You touched some many lives in different ways in your brief time on this earth in ways others can't imagine... Some people can be given a life time on this earth and accomplish nothing, and there are some people who are given a short time and accomplish so much... You Mr. Flores-Mejia aka Ricky was that person and soldier who accomplish so much in your shoft tme... As I see the days pass by, and the war seems to be a distant memory, your memory is still alive in my life, and still on this and like other days with my grandchildren I sit back like we did many times and listen to those West Coast oldies... "Never Forgotten"


Frank E. Adamski III

To the family of Frank Adamski, including his wife and daughter, my sincere condolences. I plan to make sure he is never forgotten.


Benjamin Walker

🕯️


Trevor B. Adkins

If I could go back in time I would begg you not to go I miss you so much the girls do to they talk about you all the time lots of love your sister

Wall Of Prayers


 For Blue C. Rowe   For Jose L. Montenegro Jr   For Luke J Mercardante   For James C Matteson   For Rickey E. Jones   For Derek Argel   For Eric S. Patton   For Douglas C Desjardins   For Patrick J Miller   For Todd Beamer   For Russell P Borea   For Michael J Crutchfield   For Jason C. Ramseyer   For Jonathan Castro   For Charles Dusty Parrish   For Bruno G. De Solenni   For Bruno G. De Solenni   For Philip A. Murphy-Sweet   For David A Wilkey Jr   For Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia  
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