2LT Justin Lee Sisson was born July 16, 1989 to Kevin and Phyllis Sisson, and his older brother Ryan.
Growing up, Justin loved playing sports and was an avid Baseball Player and High School Wrestler. He was Co-Captain of his High School wrestling team, was regional champion his senior year and qualified for State tournament twice. Justin also earned his Eagle Scout badge at age 15.
He graduated from Blue Valley West High School in 2007. He received a ROTC Scholarship and attended Florida State University, in Tallahassee, FL. His Father’s Alma Mater. Justin received two separate appointments to the US Military Academy at West Point, but elected to stay at FSU.
Justin’s stated goal was to lead his soldiers into battle and be the best officer he possibly could. He dedicated himself to this pursuit, starting in his freshman year at FSU by joining the Florida National Guard. He did this because he felt he had access to more training than just staying with ROTC. “I want to clearly understand what my men have to go through in order to better lead them.” That fist summer, he completed Basic Training and AIT at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO., where was the Honor Graduate for his class. Between his sophomore and junior years at Florida State, he chose to deploy with his National Guard Unit as a PFC, for a year in Mosul, Iraq. He was promoted to Specialist and received the Bronze Star for his exceptional service during this deployment, the only non-officer to receive this decoration.
Upon returning to FSU in 2010, Justin completed his education, graduated, and commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army in April 2012. He earned the George C. Marshall Award as the top cadet in FSU ROTC.
Justin completed IBOLC, as the Honor Graduate for his class. He completed Air Assault, Airborne, Sapper and Ranger schools before being assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, 1-506th IN, 4 BCT at Ft. Campbell, KY, in January 2013.
He deployed to Afghanistan in April 2013, where he was KIA by a Vehicle Borne Suicide Bomber on June 3, 2013 while leading his platoon and providing security for the Afghans in Chamkani.
Among his awards are:
Two Bronze Star Medals with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Achievement Medal, Sapper Tab and Ranger Tab, Air Assault Badge and Parachutist Badge.
Justin is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas where both of his grandfathers who served are also buried.