Michael J. Crutchfield, 21

I would like to say that Mike was one of the best friends I have ever had. I met him when I entered foster care. I remember first meeting him in Mary Graham Childrens Shelter. We played basketball together. Soon after I was placed in a home. I later ended up becoming his roommate at the Birches Apts. in Stockton. I remembered him right away. It felt weird because I thought I would never see him again. He introduced me to a new way of living. I never met a person who wasnt afraid to speak thier mind or tell people how they felt about certain things. I have always thought about what people might think or say if I did what I felt was right to me so I just followed along with what everyone else did. We lived together, went to the same school, and had the same friends. We had the time of our lives. I will always remember Micheal Jacob Crutchfield.I will always remeber him as that roller blading, stunt-devil,fun-enthusiastic guy. I will miss you Mike.

Crutch... man... The first time i met Crutch was in the supply room at our unit in Fort Bragg. It was friday and the FNG's (freaking new guys) had just come in. He was introduced to us by our sergeant. He gave us the basics of himself, where he was from, his MOS, how old. When we finally broke away from the group and i introduced myself to him, he asked me for my birthday. I told him my birthday and in what we all later learned was his custom, he told me i was a taurus and started describing me almost to the letter. he ended up being my soldier for a short while and like every FNG, he was lost in the sauce just like i had been a few years earlier. he was a very caring person who wanted to know you as a person. i miss our talks that we use to have. im sorry i couldnt save you that day Crutch... as the days get closer to the 23rd, that day and you start taking over my mind... i miss u Crutch...

Michael and I met for the first time in the mail room at FT Bragg. We started talking about computers, MOS's and hardware. Some how we ended up talking about signs and he warned me about my now ex wife. He had a scary ability to characterize a person within seconds. He never bit off more than he could chew and was always willing to help. He was the fastest friend I ever made and lasted until even after I left ft Bragg. when I found out he had died it brought me to tears. I wish I had been there when you needed someone man. I wish I could go back and fix things.

I was with a TNARNG unit in Iraq that was attached to Crutchfield's unit. He helped our unit to get our computer issues squared away. He was a good guy, I got to know him some, wish it had been more so I could have helped him. I knew he had rough childhood but no idea he was thinking suicide. His unit failed him miserably especially the two NCO's over him. They were dogging him out and embrassing him in front of the unit over being late to work and made no effort to find out why he was having this issue. I had just found out about the late problems he was having the morning he killed himself and didn't get the chance to talked to him before it happened. I think about Crutchfield often and wish I could have done something.

Michael was a great kid.
I met Mike when i was just beginning my business in 2005. Mike came to my house to help with my server. I only knew him a short time, but he was smart and wanted to help everyone. I would never have geussed he would ever take his own life. It is a sad and tragic thing when someone so bright and full of life is taken like this.

I first met Michael back in 2005 in AIT. He always found a way to make me laugh. I saw him again in 2006 at a Chinese Restaurant in Fayetteville,NC. We were very glad to see each other. He met my husband and children. Crutch, you will be so missed. I think of you all the time. I am in Iraq right now and you came across my mind. R.I.P my friend. You are always in my heart.

I met "crutchy" in Balad. He became my best friend. We hang out almost everyday playing poker, ping-pong, magic gathering, and chess. I was so sad leaving when I know that he still has to stay there for a while. We were so happy. I was hoping that we will go in chess tournaments together once he comes back and I was waiting for their unit. I really wish I could have stayed there. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't do that with me there. If I can only bring back time, I would have fought to stay there. I won't ever forget you.

I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many your memory never be forgotten. RIP

Aw mike, I still can't believe your gone, I really miss you and wish you could be here with us, I couldn't stop thinking about you and I will never for get the day we met it was at french camp school and it was my first day of school I was so scared and didn't talk to anyone, after school was out I was standing alone waiting for the school bus when some kid started bothering me and makeing fun of me I started to cry, this other boy came up to me and asked if I was ok and told the kid to leave me alone, that boy was you mike, you came and helped the new girl I was happy and you made me feel safe mike. We became very good firends after that, that's why our friends made fun of us calling you my ( Knight and shining armer.) But I wish I could of helped you, and been there for you, like you did for me, you will always be in my heart mike. Say hello to the angels for me and ill see you again some day love always Angelina Sotello....

I worked with Crutchfield in Balad, he was one of our IMOs (aka Computer Guys) and would always converse with us in the office, insightful and interesting. When alot of other IMOs would just complain about what they wanted Crutch was very pleasant and patient. We were very worried in December because we had not seen him in awhile, we heard the news in January and were very shocked and saddened. Crutchfield you were a very thoughtful and courteous man, your absence is everyone's loss. Rest in Peace bud.

I was in Crutch's unit, and at one point, I was his roomate. I used to enjoy playing chess with him, and discussing abstract ideals. He was quite the chess player, as I fancied myself a good player, and he beat me to a pulp quickly. Anyway, I think often about him, and wish I would've done something for him. I saw him just before he died, and I can't get that image out of my head. I hope that there is justice done one day, as I know he tried to reach out, but instead of being received and cared for, he was shunned and ridiculed. This may sound harsh, but it's the truth. The 2 NCO's over him failed him horribly, and his blood is on their hands. I miss you Crutch, sorry I let you down.

I remember meeting Michael Crutchfield in my first unit. This guy was very friendly and was helpful to show me around since I was still an FNG. This guy loves to watch Parkour videos! I remember me and him watching it on his laptop and he would somehow copy the moves. I remember him practicing throwing knives and practicing combatives which he was fairly good at since he was interested in the ways of the ninja. He did love asking questions like birthdates and he was good at Astrology since he can talk about it endlessly. I learned a thing or two about Astrology from him since he was very knowledgeable about it. He would tell your personality and everything about you just based on your birth date and sign. Right before deployment, he met a girl and when we were deployed he would receive letters and packages from her. I remember him light up with a smile whenever he receives them. I remember him telling me how they met and he would just light up and be happy. He was “Crutch” to us since we would lean on him for support whenever communications or whenever my laptop was down at the aidstation. He did love to play poker, chess and talk about robotics and future concepts since he was interested in Popular Science magazines. He was funny too since he would always make jokes just to cheer you up. I remember me and him planning a trip to Japan. How we plan to go to Tokyo and hit up the streets. But sadly, he passed away before doing so. I dedicate my trip to Japan for a friend that I lost in Iraq and I know you are in a better place. Mike, I will always remember you every time the 23rd of December rolls around. I know everybody misses you since you’re gone and we will never forget you.
May your soul rest in peace

I met Crutchfield in Basic we were in the same platoon and from there we were in the same platoon in AIT, he was a good friend to me and my wife and we have missed him a lot.

Mike was like family to me. We were the odd balls sparing for fun in front of our buildings, getting in trouble for horsing around too rough and many hours of video gaming.

I knew he was sad during his deployment, I just wish I had been around to tell he was worse than just sad.

Losing him still bothers me to this day. I'm actually writing this from the Denny's he used to love going to, paying his grave a visit later on today.

i miss my uncle he probably minchen me to is friends in iraq. Past 5 years my nana told me avery thing about him she told me how good he was at avery thing i live in minnosta far away from is grave hope he ant made at me. on his birthday on march 28 i well pray to him tell him about averything that is going on past 5 years im only 13teen i was 6 when he died .I love him so much that he is mt heart he mens avery thing to my life.today on march12 my nana told my mom amber n.carpenter about the 2 ncos i wish they didn't let him down my name is jasen matthew crutchfield im in 6th grade hope to see him again and i hope that this comment well effect your heart
Jasen Matthew Crutchfield

happy birthday little brother. we sure do miss you. you are always in our thoughts and we love you very much. keep watching over us like you have. Michael happy birthday miss you little brother

Its been one year i said another comment
on my uncles death im saying this at school last night on march 11 i had a dream about him that ill see him in 5 years the year 2018 if he was alive today he be prode of me speacily in sports uncle if you hear me i love u

Hi Michael I woke up this morning and couldn't stop thinking about you so I got on my computer and did a search for you and just started going to every web page with a link about you and reading what was said. There has been so much good written about you it makes me feel so good to have had known you and to have had you living under my roof like a son, I just wish I could have been more of a father and seen what you were going through but you were very good at keeping yourself shielded. I will always be proud of your self driven accomplishments in life, the fact that you got up every day for school and rain or shine would roller blade yourself the distance to school. I remember the times that I gave you and Nick a ride and would sometimes join you two in the weight room to lift a few even though that brute of a son of mine would show us both up it was always a fun time. I could go on and on but will keep it short, I will always remember you as a son I had for only a short time but I will never forget you and your drive. I know you are now the watchful eye over the rest of us still here, in case you didn't know your sister Kristen's wedding is next month June 15,2013. I know you will love how beautiful she looks in her dress and in your own way will be there to help her celebrate. I will always love you son, Richard Duarte....