HONOR-RIDE

MICHAEL  SUTTER

BIO / VIDEO / PHOTOS

"I will never forget when the mortars came in wounding me and my guys on Christmas night 2003 at FOB Gabe, you were the guy who carried me to safety. Who could know that on 26 December 2003 as I lay in Echo Med recovering from my wounds, and you responded to an IED a couple miles away I'd heard the radio call for medevac and that EOD was down. Thank you Mike for helping me and teaching me and my deepest sympathy to your family and friends. You are my hero - God's speed - EOD 1!

SSG, UXO NCOIC, FOB Gabe, Iraq"
Joe Tormala- of Chassell, Michigan

http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/suttermichaelj.html

      Michael grew up in Tinley Park, Illinois were he attended Helen Keller grade school, Grissom middle school and graduated from Andrew High School in 1993. He loved all sports but judo was his passion. He started his martial arts training under his father at the age of five. Mike went on to become an eight time national and three time international champion. He was awarded his black belt after his death at a tournament dedicated to him in California. Also the High School and College National tournament in Tinley Park was dedicated to him.

Michael Sutter joined the Army in 1994. He became an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) in 2000 and a team leader in 2001. His military training included: combat engineer, airborne, air assault, and sapper. He enrolled in EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) class and graduated in 1997. Some of his missions and duty stations included: Fort Leonard wood, MO., Fort Bragg, N.C., 741^st EOD, Fort Bliss, TX., Haiti, Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT,. Over 25 personal security missions with the Secret Service for the President of the United States and other Heads of States, was a military specialty instructor in the country of Oman. After eight years of active duty Michael joined the National Guards 754^th EOD, in Grayling, Michigan. Not long after joining the National Guard he was called back to active duty due to his job expertise. He was sent to Fort Hood, TX., where he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. While stationed in Baquoba, Iraq., he was responsible for locating and disarming enemy explosives or bombs. Christmas night 2003 there was a mortar attack on his base camp. During the attack Michael didn’t hesitate to pull fellow soldiers out of the line of fire and to safety. Three soldiers were killed and many were injured during that attack. The next day (Dec 26th) SSG Michael Sutter continued his duty of keeping his fellow soldiers safe. After locating an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and destroying it, Michael approached the remains to retrieve them when a second undetected IED went off. The second explosion killed him instantly. Michael was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.

Michael loved the Army and was very proud to be a soldier. The love he had for his family and friends was endless. He always thought of others before himself. His brother, Steve thought of Michael not only as a big brother and best friend but as a father figure. “He’s someone that’s always been there to listen or give a helping hand”. Michael is survived by his Parents: John and Judy Sutter of Tinley Park, IL. Brothers: John and Steve of  Plainfield, IL. Sister: Angie of New Lenox, IL.

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