David Iszkiewicz – Spcialist, Untied States Army

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From a contemporary press reports:

MPs honor fallen comrade

The 108th Military Police Company (Airborne) and 503rd MP Battalion (Airborne), paid tribute to a departed soldier with a memorial service held at the Main Post Chapel Tuesday.

Spc. David Iszkiewicz, 25, died from unknown causes at his home in Fayetteville February 5, 2003.

Fort Bragg Chief of Public Affairs, Major Gary Tallman, said Iszkiewicz had been battling an undetermined illness since he was medically evacuated from a deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, roughly one year ago.

The cause of death is under investigation.

Lieutenant Colonel Wade Dennis, 503rd MP Bn. Commander, addressed family and friends of Iskiewicz by taking time to remember and give thanks to a wonderful soldier, husband, brother and MP.

“As a commander, you never want to think of losing a soldier,” Dennis said. “This is a member of our team and our family. It’s important to get to know soldiers as well as possible, and I knew (Iszkiewicz) well enough to tell you he was a wonderful husband and truly loved being an MP.”

Iszkiewicz was a native of Allegany, New York, where he graduated from Allegany-Limestone High School before attending the University of Maryland where he received a bachelor’s degree in radio and television broadcasting. After completing basic training and graduating from airborne school, Iszkiewicz was assigned to the 503rd MP Bn., where he served with the 108th MP Company.

Captain Christine Whitmer, 108th MP Company Commander, remembered Iszkiewicz as someone who always made people laugh.

She said he downplayed his illness and no matter how bad he was feeling, he never complained about it.

“Izzy was our friend, paratrooper and comrade in arms,” Whitmer said. “None of us know our timeline on earth. Izzy’s was short, but he filled every moment. The Lord has an awesome soldier in Izzy and I know he will continue to serve him in heaven.”
While assigned to the 108th MP Company, Iskiewicz deployed with the unit to Kosovo in June 2000 to support Task Force Falcon.

As a close friend and company member throughout Iszkiewicz’s military career, Spc. Tony Arterburn said that no matter where he went, Iszkiewicz always made a friend.
Spc. Michael Moretz, also an MP with the 108th, said Iszkiewicz displayed a positive attitude with everyone he came across, despite being sick.

“He loved everyone,” Moretz said. “He spent the last year fighting very hard for his life. Even though he was hurting inside, he touched everyone of us. David will always be in my heart, someone I can trust to guide me.”
Iszkiewicz is survived by his wife Nicole.

Allegany soldier mystery death

Buffalo, New York, February 17, 2003 – The US Army is investigating the death of a Cattaraugus County native who contracted a mysterious disease while serving in Afghanistan.

David Iszkiewicz was sick for an entire year and doctors apparently were never really sure what caused his mysterious illness.

A 25-year old man in a 45 year old’s body, that’s what Daniel and Rose Mary Iskiewicz say their son was told about how the strange disease had ravaged his body.

David was a Specialist in the 108th Military Police unit out of Fort Bragg and was sent to Afghanistan in December, 2001. He became sick the very next month after coming into contact with the blood of an Afghan detainee.

David’s parents told us today they’re still waiting for answers from the military. He died in his sleep February 5th at his home in Fayettville, North Carolina. His parents don’t believe he received the best possible treatment and they wonder why the Army would not release him from his work, and that even days before his death he was still scheduled to go overseas again.

There will be a burial service for David Iszkiewicz later this week in Arlington National Cemetery as well as a service in Olean this Saturday.

 

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