Justus Bartelt

U.S. Marines Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, age 27, was killed July 16, 2010, in Helmand province in Afghanistan.  The son of Steve Bartelt and Jeannie Kyker, he was on his third combat deployment. 

Justus Bartelt joined the Marines shortly after he graduated from high school. He was a platoon sergeant assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, 1st Marine Division Forward, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. He joined the Marine Corps in June 2001, and was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant on Jan. 1 of this year. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to October 2005 and again from August 2008 to March 2009. He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2010.

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

His mother stated "My son is my hero for the courage and sacrifice he has made....without them we wouldn't have this country."  

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Justus Bartelt is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen