Army Pfc. Michael R. Dinterman

Died September 6, 2008 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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18, of Littlestown, Pa.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Sept. 6 at Outpost Restrepo, Kunar Province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he received enemy fire while on dismounted patrol.

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Army Pvt. Michael R. Dinterman remembered

The Associated Press

A little boy’s death changed the direction of Michael R. Dinterman’s life.

He enlisted in the Army in January because he wanted to do something with his life after the death of his 3-month-old nephew, Noah.

“He came home for that and just decided that life was too short, and he wanted to do something with his,” said Dinterman’s mother, Lora Martin. “It changed him to say, ‘What do I want in life?’”

Dinterman, 18, of Littlestown, Pa., died Sept. 6 in Kunar province of wounds from small-arms fire. He was a 2006 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood.

He enjoyed all types of sports including football, baseball and basketball, and he especially enjoyed going to the beach. He was taking classes at Harrisburg Area Community College.

Alan Staub, who coached Dinterman in baseball, recalled the young man as being the first one to practice, eager to learn and be competitive.

“He knew when to have a good time and when to be serious,” said Matthew Meakin, his former athletic director.

He is survived by his parents and stepparents, Lora Martin and Michael A. Martin, and Richard Dinterman and Misty Stonesifer.