CS1983
03-10-2018, 15:34
SFC Jaroslaw "Jarek" Majdanik was killed 7 March 2018 in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, TX. He left behind a wife and at least one son that I know of.
When I knew him in 3-69 Armor BN's Scout Platoon, he was SPC and then SGT Majdanik. He had been a gunner for the alpha section wingman during the invasion in 2003. He earned his platoon nickname "The Polish Assassin" during the invasion. I wasn't there for it, but the story goes that alpha section was on a screenline and Jarek was on duty while everyone else napped due to 24hr ops. He spotted a technical (pickup w/ mounted gun) 2km out. Whether he meant to, or was just sending a ranging shot, he hit the damn thing with his first round from the MK19... at the edge of the weapon system's max range. SGT Doyle (KIA in OIF 3), said he heard Jarek fire and it woke him up. He looked up and said, "what the hell Jarek?" and Jarek, with his hilariously nasal accent in English said, "look" and pointed to their 12 o'clock. As he looked out, he saw the technical and then watched it blow up from a direct hit.
Jarek made SGT and ended up getting stuck as the company armor for HHC/3-69AR. Since there was very little for him to do at our rotation through Fort Irwin/NTC, he spent most of the time acting as a dismount/backup gunner on SGT Doyle's truck, while I was the driver. When he'd get excited, his English would turn to shit and in combination with his high pitched voice made for the following story I remember:
We were sitting on an OP one night and Jarek was looking through the LRAS3, acting as gunner. All the sudden he starts tapping his boot on the humvee gunner platform and whispering, "SGT Doyle! SGT Doyle!"
Doyle: "Whatchu got, Jarek?"
Jarek: "I have a vehicle at 5km, grid xxxxxxxxxx"
Doyle: "What kinda vehicle? Friendly? OPFOR?"
Jarek: "I don't know... oh wait.. it's a... a... uhhh... a really big vehicle"
Doyle: "Jarek, I'm not calling BN to tell them my gunner sees a 'really big vehicle'; give me a description."
Jarek: *cursing in Polish* "Uh... is a very... um... oh!, it's t-72"
Doyle: "Rgr. Power Xray, Saber3, my Golf reports a t72 at grid xxxxxxxxxx"
Doyle: "Jarek, I'm gonna make you get Rosetta stone for English when we get back to Stewart. 'Really big vehicle', are you kidding me?"
Probably not a funny story unless you knew him, but that was typical Jarek. Competent, but funny without meaning to be.
He joined the Army after 9/11. Like most Poles, he was tough and not afraid of a fight, but at the same time could be a real gentleman. He wasn't a braggart or macho. He just did his job and tried to do the best he could.
Many of Sunday's runners were on active duty during 9/11.
...
Majdanik worked in Manhattan at the time.
"When the second airplane hit, which I actually saw from the street of my house, I knew something bad had happened," he said. "It wasn't just an accident. We knew somebody had to be behind it."
Two weeks later, Majdanik joined the military.
"I joined the US Army," he said.
http://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-runners-remember-the-fallen-in-911-heroes-run/473077982
He earned a Bachelors and then MBA from Texas A&M-San Antonio when he got out of the Army. He was working as a contract specialist for the USAF at the time of his death.
Visitation will begin on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 5:30 PM at the Angelus Chapel with the Rosary to be recited at 6:30 PM.
Visitation will resume on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with the Funeral Mass to be offered at 1:30 PM. Services will be conclude at the church.
Interment services will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:15 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.
http://www.theangelusfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=profile§ion=info&user_id=2080990
http://www.theangelusfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/memsol_data/2157/2080990/2080990_profile_pic.jpg
When I knew him in 3-69 Armor BN's Scout Platoon, he was SPC and then SGT Majdanik. He had been a gunner for the alpha section wingman during the invasion in 2003. He earned his platoon nickname "The Polish Assassin" during the invasion. I wasn't there for it, but the story goes that alpha section was on a screenline and Jarek was on duty while everyone else napped due to 24hr ops. He spotted a technical (pickup w/ mounted gun) 2km out. Whether he meant to, or was just sending a ranging shot, he hit the damn thing with his first round from the MK19... at the edge of the weapon system's max range. SGT Doyle (KIA in OIF 3), said he heard Jarek fire and it woke him up. He looked up and said, "what the hell Jarek?" and Jarek, with his hilariously nasal accent in English said, "look" and pointed to their 12 o'clock. As he looked out, he saw the technical and then watched it blow up from a direct hit.
Jarek made SGT and ended up getting stuck as the company armor for HHC/3-69AR. Since there was very little for him to do at our rotation through Fort Irwin/NTC, he spent most of the time acting as a dismount/backup gunner on SGT Doyle's truck, while I was the driver. When he'd get excited, his English would turn to shit and in combination with his high pitched voice made for the following story I remember:
We were sitting on an OP one night and Jarek was looking through the LRAS3, acting as gunner. All the sudden he starts tapping his boot on the humvee gunner platform and whispering, "SGT Doyle! SGT Doyle!"
Doyle: "Whatchu got, Jarek?"
Jarek: "I have a vehicle at 5km, grid xxxxxxxxxx"
Doyle: "What kinda vehicle? Friendly? OPFOR?"
Jarek: "I don't know... oh wait.. it's a... a... uhhh... a really big vehicle"
Doyle: "Jarek, I'm not calling BN to tell them my gunner sees a 'really big vehicle'; give me a description."
Jarek: *cursing in Polish* "Uh... is a very... um... oh!, it's t-72"
Doyle: "Rgr. Power Xray, Saber3, my Golf reports a t72 at grid xxxxxxxxxx"
Doyle: "Jarek, I'm gonna make you get Rosetta stone for English when we get back to Stewart. 'Really big vehicle', are you kidding me?"
Probably not a funny story unless you knew him, but that was typical Jarek. Competent, but funny without meaning to be.
He joined the Army after 9/11. Like most Poles, he was tough and not afraid of a fight, but at the same time could be a real gentleman. He wasn't a braggart or macho. He just did his job and tried to do the best he could.
Many of Sunday's runners were on active duty during 9/11.
...
Majdanik worked in Manhattan at the time.
"When the second airplane hit, which I actually saw from the street of my house, I knew something bad had happened," he said. "It wasn't just an accident. We knew somebody had to be behind it."
Two weeks later, Majdanik joined the military.
"I joined the US Army," he said.
http://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-runners-remember-the-fallen-in-911-heroes-run/473077982
He earned a Bachelors and then MBA from Texas A&M-San Antonio when he got out of the Army. He was working as a contract specialist for the USAF at the time of his death.
Visitation will begin on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 5:30 PM at the Angelus Chapel with the Rosary to be recited at 6:30 PM.
Visitation will resume on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with the Funeral Mass to be offered at 1:30 PM. Services will be conclude at the church.
Interment services will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:15 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.
http://www.theangelusfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=profile§ion=info&user_id=2080990
http://www.theangelusfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/memsol_data/2157/2080990/2080990_profile_pic.jpg