SCHMUNK, JEREMIAH

Jeremiah W. Schmunk was born on August 16, 1983 to Wesley and Shirley Schmunk and graduated from Warden High School, in Warden Washington, in 2002. While in high school, Jeremiah was part of the championship wrestling team where he was ranked 6th in the state of Washington in his senior year.  

Jeremiah’s father died in 1996 when he was in middle school, and his mother, Shirley, enrolled him in acting classes in Seattle to help him cope with losing his father. He succeeded in acting, so much so; he appeared in Jenny McCarthy's short-lived sitcom, and was cast in some commercials, all of which were shot in Burbank, California.  

Many say they grew up wanting to be a Soldier; however, Jeremiah really did. So much so, when he was 8 years old, and Operation Desert Storm was underway, he saw an Army recruiting commercial that had Uncle Sam saying they needed your help in fighting the war. With the number still on the screen, he wrote it down and called the recruiter and told them he could and would help.  

Although he was turned down at 8 years old, it didn’t stop his goal of serving our nation. Shortly after graduating from High School, SPC Schmunk joined the Washington National Guard and began his military career by attending boot camp at Fort Benning, Georgia, the same base his father completed his boot camp. He enlisted as an infantry man with his two best friends from high school and was assigned to the 161st Infantry Battalion, located in Moses Lake, Washington. While in the Guard, SPC Schmunk attended courses at Columbia Basin College; however, 3 months into his semester his unit was activated to deploy to Iraq, so he withdrew from classes.  

To show the impact that SPC Schmunk had on the life of those in his community, around 1,500 people showed up in the sweltering July heat to pack the Walden High School gym just to attend his funeral. When Colonel Gerald Prior, Washington National Guard Chaplain, asked those in attendance to give SPC Schmunk a salute via a round of applause, the gym erupted in a 25 second standing ovation.  

SPC Schmunk was killed in action on July 08, 2004, when the HUMMVEE he was driving came under hostile enemy fire. He was the second Washington National Guardsman killed in the war. At his funeral, Brigadier General Gordon Toney, Commander of the Washington National Guard presented SPC Schmunk the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Washington Army National Guard Distinguished Service Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge posthumously.  

SPC Schmunk is survived by his mother Shirley Schmunk, his Aunt Nancy Daly, and husband John, and his Aunt Emma Iback, and husband Jim. He has many other family members in Richland and Yakima. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers SPC Jeremiah W. Schmunk for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.