Michael Braden served in the U.S. Army as a Captain and Signal Officer in the 1st Infantry Division Signal Company, Division Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion during Operation Enduring Freedom. He died on April 18, 2012 while stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan. Braden graduated from Slippery Rock University and received his Army commission in May 2003. He was deployed to Qatar for five months in 2005 during Operation Enduring Freedom, then was assigned to Fort Riley in December 2008. He was deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, then was redeployed in 2010 for a yearlong tour to Basra, Iraq. His service awards include a Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
