Ryan D Jopek
Date of Death: 08/01/2006
Age: 20
Incident Location: Tikrit, Iraq
Hometown: Merrill
Branch of Service: Army
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment
Unit Base: Waupun, Wisconsin
Sgt. Ryan D. Jopek 20, of Merrill, Wis.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Waupun, Wis.; died August 1, 2006 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy in Tikrit, Iraq. He was a member of Troop E 105th Cavalry, based in Antigo and Merrill. The unit was mobilized to Iraq on June 6, 2005 as part of the Appleton-based 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry and was scheduled to return home later that month. Born June 1, 1986 in Alliance, Neb. he was a son of Tracy (Smith) Jopek of Merrill and Brian Jopek of Antigo.
Jopek graduated from Merrill High School in 2004. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in August, 2003 as a scout assigned to Troop E, 105th Calvary. In Iraq, the unit was responsible for providing convoy security. Sgt. Jopek was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation medals. Additional medals include Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Iraqi Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service, and the Armed Forces Reserve with "M" Device. He also received the Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Jopek was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously. He enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, golf and football. He was also interested in music, monster trucks, airplanes, and his 1966 Chevrolet half-ton pickup truck, which he planned to restore. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and his family said he modeled his life after his childhood hero, the legendary Bear running back Walter Payton. He loved all of his many friends and family.
"Ryan was respected by his unit," said Capt. Jason Reiman, Jopek's platoon leader during that 2005-06 deployment. "Dedicated to the mission, always humble, and put his unit before himself. He was the quintessential Soldier."
As a show of respect to its fallen Soldier, the 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry dedicated its drill hall in Jopek's memory, in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice to his community, state and nation. A steel placard bears his name, and a bronze plaque bears his story.
Jopek graduated from Merrill High School in 2004. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in August, 2003 as a scout assigned to Troop E, 105th Calvary. In Iraq, the unit was responsible for providing convoy security. Sgt. Jopek was the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation medals. Additional medals include Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Iraqi Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service, and the Armed Forces Reserve with "M" Device. He also received the Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Jopek was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously. He enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, golf and football. He was also interested in music, monster trucks, airplanes, and his 1966 Chevrolet half-ton pickup truck, which he planned to restore. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and his family said he modeled his life after his childhood hero, the legendary Bear running back Walter Payton. He loved all of his many friends and family.
"Ryan was respected by his unit," said Capt. Jason Reiman, Jopek's platoon leader during that 2005-06 deployment. "Dedicated to the mission, always humble, and put his unit before himself. He was the quintessential Soldier."
As a show of respect to its fallen Soldier, the 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry dedicated its drill hall in Jopek's memory, in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice to his community, state and nation. A steel placard bears his name, and a bronze plaque bears his story.