Michael John MacKinnon
Army CPT
From: Helena, Lewis and Clark County
Date of Death: 10/27/2005
Conflict: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Capt. Michael John MacKinnon, 30, of Hinesville, Georgia, formerly of Helena, was killed Oct. 27, 2005, near Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of hostile enemy action. He was born in Helena on May 26, 1975, to the late Beverly (Barker) and John MacKinnon. He graduated valedictorian from Capital High School in Helena in 1993, where he played in the band and was a member of the Capital High football and swim teams, as well as Babe Ruth baseball League. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1997. After graduation, he completed Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault schools. He was assigned as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, where he was deployed to Haiti and Egypt. He married Bethany Meyers in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Feb. 18, 1999, and they had two beautiful children together, Madison (7) and Noah (6). Michael was eventually stationed with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and again in 2005 as a company commander in Iraq. Although Michael’s life was tragically cut short, he lived a very large life. Everything he did was on a grand scale, from his many accomplishments to just spending time with his friends. He was up for any challenge and always made sure to have plenty of fun along the way. A few of his many interests included watching NASCAR races, rock climbing, floating the Dearborn River, listening to country music, playing horseshoes, and eating burgers at the NYCR Bar. He loved taking trips to Montana to visit family and friends, but his favorite place to be was home with Beth and the kids. His greatest accomplishment was being a devoted husband and father. Michael gave the ultimate sacrifice, and his death is a testament to the way he lived his life with courage, integrity, and an unfailing love for his family and country. He was a true hero and will forever live on in the hearts of all those whose lives he deeply touched.
