Benjamin V. Brand

Sgt. Benjamin Brand

March 7, 1988

December 14, 2011


Sgt. Benjamin Brand was born in Renton, Wash. on March 7, 1988.

He graduated from high school and Peninsula College with his Associate's of Arts in 2006. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training as a Blackhawk mechanic in Fort Eustis, Va., graduating as a crew chief.

In April 2007, Sgt. Brand was assigned to the famous 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky. where he served as a Blackhawk Crew Chief until July 2009. During his tenure at Fort Campbell, Sgt. Brand deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was awarded the Air Medal in recognition of his capabilities and steadfast dedication.

In August of 2009, Sgt. Brand was assigned to the 78th Aviation Battalion in Camp Zama, Japan where he served as a Crew Chief and as a Non-rated Crew Member Flight Instructor. It is also in Japan where Sgt. Brand met his wife, Natsuko. Sgt. Brand and Natsuko were married on February 25, 2011.

Sgt Brand's awards include the Air Medal; Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Joint Meritorious Unit Citation; Good Conduct Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star; Aviation Badge, Basic; and the Drivers Badge. Sgt Brand's Assignments were the 101st Airborne Division from April 2007 to July 2009, and the 78th Aviation Battalion from July 2009 to December 2011. Sgt. Brand was promoted from corporal to sergeant posthumously.

He is survived by his wife Natsuko; his mother Konnie and his father Martin; and his sisters Chrystal and Nichole. He is also survived by Grandma Roberta and Grandma Buckett, 11 aunts and uncles; seven cousins; and four nephews.

Memorial services will be held at the Lighthouse Christian Center, 304 Viewcrest St., Port Angeles, 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 23, 2011. Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. at Evergreen-Washeli Cemetery in Seattle.