Brad A. Wentz

United States Army Sergeant Brad A. Wentz passed away on May 20, 2005 while in the line of duty.

Wentz was born in Midland, Michigan and raised in Gladwin, Michigan. He loved hunting, snowmobiling, golfing and rollerblading. Additionally, Wentz was exceptional at hockey, earning the title of Captain for his high school hockey team. He and his wife, Tami, were high school sweethearts. They graduated together in 2002 and were married in May of 2003. The pair later welcomed their baby girl, Jerzey, in January 2004.

Having been the grandson and nephew of numerous veterans, Wentz decided to join the US Army in June of 2001. Upon finishing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as well as AIT in June of 2002, he served with the 180th TC Company as a truck driver in the Reserves. Wentz spent a few years on various assignments until 2005 when he was convoyed to Camp Anaconda on January 18, 2005. Throughout his honorable career, Wentz was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, a Meritorious Service Medal, an Army Achievement Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among many other awards and commendations. In late May of 2005, Wentz was on a main supply route in Iraq when his convoy came under attack by enemy forces. He sadly passed away from the injuries he sustained. He was just 21 years old.

Wentz never failed to light up any room he stepped foot into. While it has been almost two decades since his premature passing, Tami feels as though she just saw him yesterday.

United States Army Sergeant Brad A. Wentz is survived by his loving wife, Tami, and his daughter, Jerzey.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Wentz family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.