SGT David “DJ” S. Stelmat, 27, a combat medic serving with the NH Army National Guard’s 237th Military Police Co., died March 22, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq from injuries sustained when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) struck his convoy.

DJ’s family moved to Littleton, NH from Connecticut when he was in the 8th grade. He graduated from Profile High School, where he enjoyed playing soccer and performing in school musicals. “We used to work together at Cannon and he would have an impression of just about everyone who worked there,” remembers a friend.  In the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001, DJ along with a friend, climbed to the top of the Old Man of the Mountain and placed an American flag in the iconic profile.  Pictures of DJ’s actions quickly spread and served as a patriotic symbol of NH.

He always wanted to help others and joined the US Army hoping to become a medic. It didn’t happen during his first stint and he was assigned as an Army rifleman, deploying to Afghanistan for 10 months and being on the front lines. After returning home, he enrolled in the NH Technical Institute (NHTI). He became certified as an emergency medical technician in pursuit of his goal of serving as a medic in the armed forces.

In January 2006 he joined the NH Army National Guard’s 237th Military Police Company. In August of that year, he completed training as a healthcare specialist.   In June 2007 he was deployed as a combat medic to Iraq with the 237th Military Police Co. and was Killed In Action (KIA) on March 22, 2008, at age 27.

DJ was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was posthumously awarded a physician’s assistant degree from NHTI.  His other awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Expert Rifle Weapons Qualification Badge, and an Overseas Service Bar.