SGT STEVEN C. GANCZEWSKI
Killed in action on Nov. 16, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski, 22, was a fire team leader assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was born on April 7, 1985.

He died Nov. 16, 2007, in northern Iraq of injuries sustained in a combat related incident.

After graduating from Niagara Falls High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Ganczewski enlisted in the Army from his hometown of Niagara Falls in July 2003 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger
Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.

He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in April 2004 and was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment in May 2004. He served there as a grenadier and fire team leader.
Ganczewski’s awards and decorations include four Army Achievement Medals, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Jumpmaster Badge, and
the Ranger Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/V and the Meritorious Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife Rachel and daughter Makayla, of Columbus, Ga., and his parents Mark and Maria Ganczewski of Niagara Falls, N.Y.

As a Ranger, Sgt. Ganczewski distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!