Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II

We Honor and Remember:

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II
Hometown: Freehold, NJ.
Age: 23 years old.
Died: November 19, 2005.
Unit: 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regt, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

Zilinski, 23, had only been stationed in Iraq since September 17, 2005 and was engaged to be married to 2nd Lt. Marie Cicerelle, who is also stationed in Iraq, the statement said.

"Too many people have been affected by this tragedy," the statement said. "There is nothing that can replace this dedicated, high-spirited individual. Befriended by so many, and loved by everyone he met, Dennis notably demonstrated his personal desire to be a friend, companion and courageous leader."

He was killed near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad.

The statement- issued by Zilinski's parents, Dennis and Marion, in lieu of speaking with the media- said their son was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division(Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY.

A 2000 graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Middletown, Zilinski was remembered in a statement "as a very willing person" who loved his country and the Army.

Burial: United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA.

1LT Dennis William Zilinski II, 23, was a rifle platoon leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Rakkasans), 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He and three other Soldiers were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during combat operations in Bayji, Iraq on 19 November 2005.

While at West Point, 1LT Zilinski majored in Basic Sciences and Leadership, with his required engineering concentration in Systems Engineering. As a Cadet, Dennis also completed Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA.

1LT Zilinski received the CPT Michael W. Kilroy Award for serving as the USMA swim team captain. Dennis also received the Class of 1923 Award for being the graduating senior who exhibited qualities of leadership and sportsmanship on the swim team.

After graduation from West Point, 1LT Zilinski attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course. Dennis completed Ranger School and received his Ranger tab - a lifelong goal and his proudest accomplishment.

Dennis is survived by his father and mother, Dennis and Marion Zilinski, his fiancée, Marie Cicerelle (USMA 2004), his brothers Doug (wife Toni) Kenner and Matthew Zilinski (NJARNG), and his sisters Michele (husband David) Vaughn and Tiffany (husband Lamar) Shiver.

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, Memorial Fund Newsletter

Our Memorial Fund sponsors the K9 Sgt. Denny Dog-walk, the Blue Claws Baseball Outing, the Toast to Dennis – A Night of Remembrance, the Golf with Dennis, and the Run with Dennis. The Fund will continue to solicit local businesses and citizens in order to raise resources needed for scholarships and support of wounded military personnel.

Contributions have been made to various 501(c)(3) organizations that furnish prosthetics, clothing and handicap construction to wounded soldiers upon their return home.

Click here to view the on-line Newsletter: Click on photos below to enlarge...