Okan Cetinbag - U.S. Military

Sgt. Okan Cetinbag, age 24, of Morton Grove, Illinois, died on February 11, 2014, at a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.

Okan was based at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. He served as part of the 501st Infantry Regiment's Company B, 1st Battalion.

As of this posting, the circumstances of Okan's death are not available.

On February 7, 2014, Okan was at home. He was going out partying with a few of his buddies. His buddies were in the house with him.  He kissed his wife and daughter goodbye. Minutes later he was found unconscious at his home. He had been shot.

The cause of his death is under investigation.

Okan was rushed to a hospital in Anchorage. He was in a coma and life support was turned off on February 11, 2014. 

Angels of God, pray for Okan

He enlisted in 2007 during his senior year at Maine East High School in Park Ridge and was off to boot camp right after graduation.  He attended basic and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived in Alaska in June of 2013.

He had previously served with the U.S. Marine Corps, including a 2010 combat tour in Afghanistan.

He had stated that being stationed in Alaska was his dream assignment. He liked the frontier life of Alaska.

Loved ones stated that he was a handsome and vibrant young man. He was determined, focused and strong.

He had a sense of humor and could make others laugh even under the worst of circumstances.

He felt that military service was his calling. It's what he did best. 

Okan is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Sevgi Yaylamis; his wife Jazzmine and his young daughter, Abbey Laine, age 2. 

Thank you for serving, Okan.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next.

Pray that Okan is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.