Army National Guard Specialist Justin Wayne Linden, 22, Portland, Oregon (formerly of Clinton, Wisconsin) was killed on Friday, June 4, 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq. Specialist Linden was one of four soldiers killed when their convoy unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenades. Witnesses describe the attack that killed Specialist Linden as a second bomb after Linden had stopped to help a New Jersey unit's victims of the original attack. Specialist Linden served with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard based out of Cottage Grove, Oregon.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Justin moved to Portland, Oregon, after graduating from Clinton High School, in Clinton, Wisconsin in 1999. Clinton is a town of about 2000 people in south central Wisconsin's Rock County. The Journal Sentinel went on to say Justin's mother Donna Beckman lives in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Linden moved to Portland about four years before his death. In Oregon he had worked for Kentucky Fried Chicken were he met his future wife Sarah. They were married on February 28, 2004, shortly before leaving for Iraq. The Journal Sentinel also mentioned Justin is remembered in Clinton for his participation in baseball. Linden played outfield for Clinton and earned an honorable mention on the Rock Valley All-Conference baseball team in 1999.
The Web site militarytimes.com using information from the Associated Press notes Justin Linden went on to become manager of KFC restaurants in Portland; he hoped to someday have a career in law enforcement, or possibly acting. He was remembered for his sense of humor, wide grin, comic charm, love of music, easygoing personality, and devotion to his country.
The Web site findagrave.com notes that Justin Linden was born on June 26, 1981 in Belidere, Illinois. After graduating from high school, Linden and a few friends decided to move to Portland. The Web site also mentioned he secretly wanted to become a comedian someday. Some of Specialist Linden's military awards and medals include the Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Good Conduct Medal; and the Oregon Distinguished Service Medal. Specialist Justin Linden was laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
At the time of his death Army National Guard Specialist Justin W. Linden was survived by his wife Sarah Linden; his mother Donna Beckman; his father Wayne Linden; three brothers Carlyle, John, and Jim; a half sister; maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Aska; and, paternal grandfather Einar M. Linden.
Information for this short biography about Army National Guard Specialist Justin Wayne Linden was pieced together from the following sources: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Clinton graduate dies in Iraq," June 10, 2004; militarytimes.com, Associated Press, "Army Spc. Justin W. Linden"; findagrave.com, "Spec Justin Wayne Linden," posted July 17, 2004; Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs "Fallen Heroes Page"; and, CNN.com "War Casualties Page."
Note: This "Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation" Daily Dadio blog Category is under construction. Go to the Cooldadiomedia Web site and the Wisconsin War Casualties Page for a list of names noted by date of death. ( If readers know of other military service persons with Wisconsin connections that are not on the Web site comprehensive list of fatal casualties, or notice errors, please email Bob Keith at keithrg13@cooldadiomedia.com ).
