Army 1st Lt. Todd W. Lambka

Died August 1, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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25, of Fraser, Mich., assigned to 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died Aug. 1 in Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an enemy improvised explosive device. Pfc. Jesus J. Lopez was also killed in the incident.

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Slain soldier remembered as ‘true leader’

The Associated Press

FRASER, Mich. — A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan was a “true leader” who showed his potential to fill such a role from a young age, his father said.

The Defense Department announced Friday that 25-year-old 1st Lt. Todd Lambka, of the Detroit suburb of Fraser, died Wednesday when an improvised explosive device detonated in Paktika province. Pvt. 1st Class Jesus Lopez, 22, of San Bernardino, Calif., also was killed, the military said.

“Todd was a great kid, a true leader. He died doing what he believed in, and what he felt he was born to do,” Brian Lambka told The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens.

Todd Lambka and Lopez were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kan.

“He wanted to lead men, his troops,” Brian Lambka said. “That was his whole goal. ... He loved leading.”

Todd Lambka graduated from Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township in 2006 and graduated in 2010 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He and his twin brother, Jordan, both demonstrated leadership skills as early as in their teens, their father said.

Jordan Lambka also joined the military, and Brian Lambka said they wanted to be a part of the fight against terrorism.

“I think every parent is surprised when their son or daughter makes that decision, but their love of country is the reason why they’re willing to go over there,” Brian Lambka said. “He thought defending the country was very noble. This is what my kids were called to do.”

Funeral arrangements were pending at Wasik Funeral Home, in Warren.

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Service set for soldier killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday for a Michigan soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department says 25-year-old 1st Lt. Todd Lambka, of the Detroit suburb of Fraser, died Aug. 1 when an improvised explosive device detonated in Paktika province. The military says Pvt. 1st Class Jesus Lopez, 22, of San Bernardino, Calif., also was killed.

The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens reported that a plane carrying Lambka's remains arrived Saturday at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where it was met by members of his family.

A public visitation is set 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wasik Funeral Home in Macomb County's Shelby Township.

A memorial service is set at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

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Governor orders flags lowered in honor of soldier

The Associated Press

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff for a suburban Detroit soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.

The flag lowering is ordered for Wednesday. That's also the day of a memorial service for 25-year-old 1st Lt. Todd Lambka of Fraser. He died Aug. 1 when an improvised explosive device detonated in Paktika province.

The Pentagon said Pvt. 1st Class Jesus Lopez, 22, of San Bernardino, Calif., also died.

The memorial service for Lambka is at Wasik Funeral Home in Macomb County's Shelby Township, located about 20 miles north of Detroit.