The Michael Strange Foundation
The Michael Strange Foundation provides grief support services to our nation’s Gold Star families. A Gold Star family is defined as a family who has lost a loved one in service to our country in a time of war. We serve the Gold Star community while we honor Seal Team 6 member Michael Strange’s dedication and commitment to our nation.
"We sleep peacefully in our beds because rough men stand by to visit violence on those that would do us harm"
In Memory of Michael Strange and ALL 31 BRAVE WARRIORS K I A - 08/06/2011 "EXTORTION 17"
In Memory Of
MICHAEL J. STRANGE
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986, in Philadelphia. He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic School in the Wissinoming section of the city. He enjoyed the life of a typical Philadelphia kid surrounded by a loving family and great friends who he stayed close to all of his life. Michael had a great sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. As a little boy, he loved spending summers with his dad, brother, and sisters in Rehoboth Beach at his grandmother’s house where he spent his days fishing and crabbing and playing in the pool.
After graduating from North Catholic High School in June of 2004, Michael joined the United States Navy. After basic training in the Great Lakes, he reported to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola FL where he attended Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School. He graduated second in his class.
His first assignment was Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii. At NIOC, Petty Officer Strange worked in several high-profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first-line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. He completed a nine-month deployment to Iraq with Seal Team TWO. During this deployment, he earned the Expeditionary Warfare qualification. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
While stationed in Hawaii, Michael met his girlfriend. They enjoyed spending time after work surfing and touring the beautiful islands. After completing his tour of duty in Iraq, Michael and his girlfriend moved to Virginia Beach, VA where they made their home with their dog Schmayze.
Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class Michael Strange was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and other campaign and unit decorations.
Michael is survived by his proud and loving family, his parents, his brother, sisters, and his niece. He is also survived by his grandmother and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, his girlfriend, and many close friends.
