U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Captain Michael W. Newton, 30, of Newport News, Virginia, died June 11, 2011, at Faryab province, Afghanistan,of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.
LEXINGTON, Va., June 13, 2011 – Army Captain Michael W. Newton, 30, died June 11, 2011, in a non-combat related incident while on duty in Afghanistan’s Faryab province. He was a graduate of VMI’s Class of 2003.
Newton, who received a bachelor of arts degree in history from VMI, was a member of the VMI men’s rifle team and the Virginia History Society. He served as executive officer of the 2nd Battalion of the VMI Corps of Cadets.
At the time of his death, Newton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Combat Brigade Combat Team based in Baumholder, Germany.
Newton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie A. Newton, came to VMI from Newport News, Virginia.
NEWPORT NEWS – Captain Michael ‘Mike’ Wray Newton journeyed to his heavenly home to be with his Savior on Saturday, June 11, 2011.
Mike was born to Willie and Barbara Newton in Newport News, Virginia, May 29, 1981. He professed his belief in the Lord at an early age and attended Maranatha Baptist Church. He later was baptized and joined First Baptist Church Denbigh in Newport News, Virginia. Thirty wonderful years God allowed him to be with us. His life was full of love, peace and kindness for everyone he encountered.
He attended Newport News Public Schools and graduated from Denbigh High School in 1999. While at Denbigh he was a member of the band, Executive Council, FBLA, Mayor’s Youth Commission, Model UN, Spanish Club, Student Aide, JV football, Sports Manager, and wrestling team. He was the recipient of the Mayor’s Outstanding Youth Award at Denbigh in 1999.
He furthered his education by graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 2003 with a degree in history. During his tenure he was a member of the band, the rifle team and was a much respected member of the Class of 2003 serving as a Battalion Executive Officer, one of the top ranking positions in the Regimental system. Mike was also a member of the History Society and the Virginia Institute Society at VMI.
His military career began on May 10, 2001, with his enlistment into the U. S. Army Reserves. After completing Basis Training, he transferred to the National Guard and enlisted in the Virginia Military Institute. He received his commission on August 1, 2003, and successfully completed his first assignment as a Field Artillery Officer at Camp Casey, Korea. In Camp Casey he served as the Fire Direction Officer for Bravo Battery, 1-15th FA Battalion until October 2005. In December 2005 he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. Mike immediately deployed with Delta Company. 3rd Brigade 3rd Battalion 187 Infantry Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving as the Company Fire Support Officer. In October 2006, upon completion of his OIF rotation, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 320th Field Artillery Battalion where he served as the Battalion Assistant S3 until August 2007.
After graduating from the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in February 2008, he was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he conducted Military Transition Team training. From October 2008 – October 2009, he was deployed to Mosul, Iraq with the 1-8-2 Iraqi Army Battalion Military Transition Team where he served as the Senior Headquarters Company and Fire Support Advisor. His next deployment was Baumholder, Germany, where he received his current duty station as the Service Battery Commander, 1st BN, 84th Field Artillery from there he deployed to Camp Griffin, Faryab, Afghanistan.
Mike’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Overseas Service Bar. He was also a member of the Order of Saint Barbara.
Mike leaves behind to cherish his loving memory of 30 years, his mother and father, Willie and Barbara Newton of Newport News; a sister, Kelly Fullwood of Stone Mountain, Georgia; grandparents, Abe and Margaret Newton, Newport News; aunts, Margie Lowery, Audrey Brice, Joyce Ricks (Charles); uncles, William Clark III of Hampton and Avery Newton of Newport News; and a host of loving relatives and friends throughout many states.
Service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 29, at First Baptist Church Denbigh, 3628 Campbell Rd., Newport News, Virginia 23602.
Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard