Steven E. Auchman
|
| Age: |
|
37 |
| Hometown: |
Waterloo, NY |
| Date of Death: |
11/9/2004 |
| Incident Location: |
Mosul, Iraq |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Air Force |
| Rank: |
Master Sgt. |
| Unit: |
5th Air Support Operations Squadron |
| Unit's Base: |
Fort Lewis, Wa |
|
Steven E. Auchman never wanted to be left on the sidelines, whether it was high school athletics, where he never missed a practice for three sports and played even when hurt, or when his nation needed him, when he volunteered to go to Iraq. "Steve was a dignified kid. He was one who did the most with his natural ability. The things you want people to think of you, that's what I thought of Steve," said Don Moretti, who coached Auchman in football and lacrosse. Auchman, 37, of Waterloo, N.Y., died Nov. 9 during a mortar attack in Mosul. The 19-year Air Force veteran was based at Fort Lewis, Wash. He graduated high school in 1985 and together with his twin brother, John, joined the Air Force. He met his future wife, Jennifer, while she also was serving in the Air Force, which she left in 1989. "He was just a very special person. We were best friends first before we started dating," she said. "He had a wonderful sense of humor and always knew how to make me laugh." They had been married for more than 16 years. Auchman also is survived by his sons, Brian, 16, and Eric, 13.