Michael Camonyan was born on 8-19-1974 in Olongapo, Philippines.  Michael came to America and lived in San Diego, CA for much of his childhood and teenage years.  Michael transformed his life from a confused child in a new place, into a man.  Michael decided that his life was more valuable to the world than what he was doing with it.  In the mid-90’s Michael joined the Army and learned how to improve himself and others around him.  Mike took this challenge head on an excelled at every task that he was given. 

Michael quickly grew into a leader and loved to help his soldiers and his community.  As Michael continued his career with the Army, he changed jobs from an 88M which has a long list of duties for the Army motor transport operators.  In addition to operating all wheel vehicles and equipment all over different types of terrain, they manage the loading and unloading of personnel and cargo being transported in both a vehicle and trailer.  During combat times this job is extremely dangerous as the crewman and women are outside the wire nearly daily.  Michael changed his MOS to a 19K (M1A1 Tank Crewman).  Michael worked his way up to a tank commander and excelled showing his leadership daily. 

Michael took pride in changing lives and leading by example.  Michael showed his troops that for every decision made there was a consequence to their action(s).  In 2003 I graduated from Army basic training and was assigned Charlie Company 1-303rd Armor and Michael (at the time, Sgt. Camonyan.) was my first line supervisor.  Sgt. Camonyan quickly became the biggest influence in my life and showed me what it meant to take ownership of my decisions and mistakes.  Michael took pride in teaching his soldiers the consequences of their actions.  I can remember countless times that Michael would explain what I did wrong and would then do pushups with me.  Michael showed me that as a team, one person does not make a mistake, we all make the mistake while when one person succeeds the entire mission succeeds.  This showed me that Michael was a true man that believed in making people better and allowing them to learn from their mistakes while providing fair and clear discipline.  Michael proved that you’re soldiers actions and decisions are a direct reflection of your leadership. 

Michael showed his soldiers that the world was bigger than themselves.  Throughout all of the lessons Michael provided to his soldiers was that to be a great leader, you must first learn to follow.  Michael knew that people had leadership skills and wanted to make the most of them.  In the nine years that I was with Michael in the Army, he influenced hundreds of lives and accomplished many personal goals.  Michael was not a soldier that was happy with accomplishing the minimum and collecting a paycheck.  Michael sought out schools and took pride in his physical fitness along with educated himself both in the Army and on the outside.  Michael took the time to learn what his soldiers’ goals were and would help accomplish them. 

In 2003 Michael and the Washington State National Guard was deployed to Iraq.  The Washington State National Guard spent time throughout the entire country of Iraq, however, Michael was on “Victory” base which has changed names several times over the years.  The mission of the Washington State National Guard was to relieve the 82nd Airborne unit where we had a wide range of responsibilities.  Our unit conducted everything from base security, convoy’s to marching through the villages.  Michael took pride in every aspect that we assisted in and ensured that his soldiers were always prepared for any mission.  I would try and test Michael with asking for random items and sure enough he would always have it.  Michael was prepared for anything at any time.  Michael took pride in training and would always test his soldiers to ensure they were always thinking ahead.

Shortly after returning home and missing our families for nearly two years, Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area.  Without hesitation, Michael volunteered to deploy once again and helped the people in New Orleans.  The devastation in the lower 9th ward and throughout the state reminded us of Iraq.  The devestation was unreal and hard to believe unless you saw it with your own eyes.  There were houses in the middle of the roads, cars being held on fences and random boats on the freeway.  There was no question that Michael and those of us that volunteered to assist in this mission, met true heroes.  Michael took the time to speak with survivors and to thank them for the assistance that they provided to their neighbors.  There was a man that Michael and I spoke with that used a telephone pole to swim and save his neighbors.  Michael ensured to point out that this man was a true hero. 

Our second tour to Iraq was in 2008-2009, and we were assigned to Anaconda where our primary mission was convoy security.  Michael wanted to be the first truck or scout unit to ensure that everyone in his convoy was safe.  When Michael was not selected for this position he about exploded.  Michael felt better knowing that he would be in charge of the scout unit and could then ensure their training was next to none.  After dozens of missions and many close calls Michael did exactly what he was supposed to do.  Michael ensured that we were all safe and returned home with minimal injuries.

Michael completed two deployments to Iraq for the country that he loved.  One of Michaels main goals was to become a United States citizen.  Michael earned his citizenship after spending countless hours studying and successfully passed his citizenship qualification.    

Michael loved the outdoors and would hike, climb, fish, run and do anything else that could be imagined.  Michael was in great health as he stayed active and worked out daily.  Michael’s love for the outdoors led him to assisting with the Washington Youth Academy in Bremerton, WA where Michael assisted teaching troubled youth to build confidence.  Michael would teach these young men and women to rappel.  Michael loved to watch these young men and women turn their fear into confidence doing this on a volunteer basis.

Michael was unable to retire from the Army but stayed close as a tech at Fort Lewis.     

With all of the great things that Michael did for this country and the world, he finally lost a battle.  Michael was suddenly hospitalized at the age of 43-years-old with lesions in his brain.  Michael was treated aggressively and fought for nearly a month while Dr.’s believed that Michael had a rare brain disease called Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM).  Although we may never know if this is the cause of Michael’s passing, we do know that the world has lost a true leader and great man.

Michael left behind his son Chance (18) and his beautiful wife Leilani (never ask a women’s age).

This Go Fund Me page is being set up to assist with burial cost, celebration of life, bills that are currently behind, upcoming hospital bills and hotel rooms/flights and other expenses for flying family and friends in from around the world.                     

Michael Camonyan received dozens of awards within his career and just some of the notable awards and courses that he completed are:

-Pathfinder School Certified

-Air Assault Badge

-Bronze Star Medal

-Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

-Humanitarian Service Medal

-Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star

-NCO Professional Developmental Unit Ribbon

-Overseas Service Ribbon

*There are honestly too many awards to list for this amazing man, soldier, father and husband. 

Thank you for any donation, thoughts and prayers.