Dennis L. Sellen Jr., 20

Army National Guard, Specialist

Based: Fresno

1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: February 11, 2007

Umm Qasr, Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Newhall

High School: John F. Kennedy High (Granada Hills)

Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Glendale

Sellen was known as a creative, free spirit who also felt the pull of a life dedicated to service and country. He attended Marion Military Institute in Alabama, and after graduating in 2004 joined the Alabama Army National Guard. He earned his airborne wings and became a standout marksman.

Carl Leonard Seigart, 02/14/2007

Robert B. Thrasher, 02/11/2007

29 memories of Dennis L. Sellen Jr.

“

Today, while doing some research, I came across the information regarding the passing of young Dennis; this news came as quite shock to me.

I served with Dennis' father, "Denny" back in the 1980s. I always enjoyed flying with the Sellen brothers as we were crew members together flying C-130s to various places around the globe. The Sellen brothers were happy and kind. I am sure Dennis Jr. had the same happy disposition as his father and uncles. His Uncle, Lt. Col. "Bill" Sellen was one of the best officers I have ever known and a real hard charger in Viet Nam, one of the original members of Delta Force.

Dennis Sr. was one heck of a singer in his own right and great flight engineer. Often after finishing night missions, we would go to an Irish pub right next to our base, where Denny Sr. would sing "Danny Boy" as well as the ballad has ever been sung. On every occasion I hear the song, I think of Denny Sr. standing on the stage in his flight suit singing the tune.

My heart goes out to the Sellen family. But rest assured, the men are with the Lord, because if Dennis Jr. was anything like his father, neither had "bad bone in his body".

” — Chris, February 13, 2011 at 2:08 a.m.

“

We were sitting in the motor pool prior to a convoy mission, and the whole platoon was haggard and demoralized. We were not in the mood to go out and my platoon sergeant, whom I rode with, was trying to keep his frustration at bay. All of a sudden, a humvee drove in front of us. Dennis Sellen stood at the top of his turret, dancing in front of the whole platoon, gyrating his hips and pointing at all of us. All the joes cracked up and it lightened the mood - I looked over at my platoon sergeant and he had a flash of anger, "Stop doing that! Get off of there Sellen!" he shouted. He then turned around and the anger melted off his face, replaced by a huge smile. "F'ing Sellen."

” — Michael Flores, February 25, 2012 at 8:15 a.m.

“

When Dennis passed away I was a young SGT in his company. I have to admit that I did not know him well, but I did know his reputation of being upbeat and hilarious. The night it happened, news travelled very quickly between everyone and I felt devastated. I believe I speak for all of who were deployed with him when I say, not another day passed when he wasn't on our minds. The feeling of helplessness lingered with us for our brother, our comrade, and our friend. Since then, I have thought back on the day we lost him more times than I can express. I still remember his jokes, his smile, and his inability to let others be sad. And now, 10 years since his passing, I am again deployed to Iraq, only this time I am a Battery Commander responsible for 55 young Soldiers. I have shared my memory of Dennis and his passing with each one of them. I hope that by sharing his story others can better understand the possible affects of their actions and take care as they go about their daily routines. To Sellen's family I would like to say, that your son was the best of us. He represented the best in each of us. And everyone who knew him, and knew of him, is a better person for having known him. I offer my sincerest condolences for the loss of your son, but remember that all of us will keep his memory with us for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace Dennis, and thank you for helping me become a better person and leader.

” — CPT Sean T. Quinn, January 31, 2017 at 3:55 a.m.

Search by: Age, Base, Branch, Cemetery, Date of Death, Country of Birth, Gender, High School, Hometown, Marital Status, Name, Number of Children, Theater of Operation, Place of Death

Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?

Dennis L. Sellen Jr., 20

Related

29 memories of Dennis L. Sellen Jr.