Ristau, Michael Eugene
Male
Verified Sgt. Michael Eugene Ristau, 25, of Rockford, Illinois, was a U.S. Army infantryman serving with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He was killed in action on July 13, 2012, in Qalat, Afgha
Their Story
Michael Eugene Ristau was born in Rockford, Illinois. He joined the United States Army and was assigned as an infantryman to Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, part of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
In 2012, his unit deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign that began in October 2001. The 3rd Stryker Brigade was operating in Zabul province, a region in southern Afghanistan known for insurgent activity.
On July 13, 2012, Sergeant Ristau was on patrol in Qalat, the provincial capital of Zabul. His unit came under hostile fire. According to U.S. Department of Defense casualty reports, Ristau was killed during this engagement.
His death was one of several suffered by the 3rd Stryker Brigade during its 2012 deployment. The brigade had previously deployed to Iraq and was on its second tour in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Ristau was 25 years old at the time of his death. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other commendations for his service. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Rockford Veterans Memorial Hall in Illinois.
Explore Further
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan, concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
