Stalwart Soldier Dies 'Doing What He Loved'

Copter Pilot Had Lifelong Love of Military

Michael Slebodnik's interest in the military was apparent from an early age.

As a child, "Mickey," as his family called him, wore camouflage, played with army men, painted models and staged battles. He was so eager to join the Army that he went through a delayed entry program and enlisted at 17.

"I think he came out of the womb that way," said his mother, Patricia Slebodnik. "He just loved anything like that."

Said his father, Willie Slebodnik: "He always had the military in his mind."

From a decision made when he was young came an Army career that spanned more than two decades, service in three wars and dozens of medals, badges and other accolades. And it came to an untimely end when he died last month in Afghanistan.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Slebodnik, 39, died Sept. 11 at Bagram Airfield. He was conducting a reconnaissance and surveillance mission that day when the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter he was piloting came under small-arms fire near Forward Operating Base Nagil, according to the Department of Defense. His mother said she believes he was shot in the leg and bled to death before he could receive medical attention.

More than 100 friends and family gathered yesterday to see Slebodnik buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A quartet of Black Hawk helicopters flew overhead at the start of the service, honoring the man who had been a helicopter pilot for his entire military career.

Slebodnik was born in Gibsonia, Pa., and lived in Tennessee with his wife, Tanja. He would have turned 40 next month. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based at Fort Campbell, Ky.

He loved flying and loved serving, his mother said. He became a warrant officer after Operation Desert Storm and then became an instructor pilot. He had been to Iraq four times since 2003, and had been in Afghanistan since January.

"I'm sad for us, but Mike basically died doing what he loved doing," Patricia Slebodnik said.

She said Slebodnik had a big smile and cobalt eyes so blue they were almost electric. He was very religious and very positive. His faith and upbeat attitude helped him fly, she said.

"He was never afraid," she said. "I asked him. He said, 'No, Mom. For one thing, it's really noisy in the helicopter. Sometimes when you're being shot at, you don't hear it because it's so noisy. And you don't have time to be afraid.' "

He was into military strategy and enjoyed reading about the strategies and battles of the Civil War and both world wars.

Slebodnik came from a family with military ties. His father served in Vietnam. His grandfather, Wade Peters, was a bomber pilot in World War II and retired as a colonel. When Mickey Slebodnik got his wings, his grandfather pinned them on.

He loved playing chess, which his mother attributes to the game's strategic aspect, and loved kids. He had six children, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

His mother said she has received mail from numerous strangers, such as the letter she got from a woman thanking her because Mickey had saved her son's life.

"He was a good person and he made a difference in a lot of people's lives," Patricia Slebodnik said.