Age: 24
Hometown: Appleton, Minnesota
C Battery, 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery
Died: February 21, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq

Sergeant Jesse M. Lhotka, of Alexandria, MN, was born on March 10, 1980 in Appleton, MN. He graduated from Lac Qui Parle Valley High School in Madison, MN.  Sergeant Lhotka’s military career began when he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard on July 1, 1999.  His specialty was a 13B Cannon Crewmember. His military education includes Basic Combat Training (BCT) 2000, Advanced Individual Training (AIT) 2000, Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) 2003 and Combat Lifesaver (2004).

Sergeant Lhotka enlisted with HHS (Detachment) 1-151st Field Artillery Battalion. He continued his service with HHS (Detachment) 1-151st Field Artillery Battalion as an Ammunition Sergeant. In 2004 he was assigned to Battery C, 151st Field Artillery Battalion, and deployed to Iraq as a Team Leader.  On February 21, 2005 Sergeant Lhotka was assisting injured Soldiers in his unit near Baghdad, Iraq when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated killing Sergeant Lhotka along with two others from his unit.

Sergeant Lhotka’s military decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “Mobilization” Device, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Minnesota Good Conduct Ribbon and the Minnesota Service Ribbon (V Device).

Additional Links

http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/02/22_ap_gaurdkilled/
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/4453/stairway-heaven-display#.VOYWMC6T43M
https://www.albertleatribune.com/2005/02/hundreds-mourn-fallen-soldier/
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/03/02_steilm_appletonstreets/?refid=0
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/12/06_steilm_guardhome/?refid=0
https://www.twincities.com/2009/11/21/minnesota-and-wisconsins-war-dead-they-come-from-small-towns-and-they-fall-to-crude-bombs/
http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/lhotkajessem.html
https://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/washingtonpost/jesse-m-lhotka-condolences/3210740
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13983504
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary.aspx?n=jesse-lhotka&pid=3203782
http://obits.syracuse.com/obituaries/syracuse/obituary.aspx?n=jesse-m-lhotka&pid=3210740
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49141-2005Feb24.html
https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-jesse-m-lhotka/683508
http://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-national-guard-remembers-3-young-soldiers-killed-12-years-ago
https://www.stevenscountytimes.com/news/3683805-area-soldiers-remembered-10-years-later
https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2010/other/101583/www.governor.state.mn.us/mediacenter/pressreleases/printerfriendly/PROD007547.html