“When the fate of a Nation and the lives of its soldiers are at stake, 

gentlemen do reach each other’s mail, if they can get their hands on it”

Allan Welsh Dulles, former Director of Central Intelligence

 

SSG Michael W. Hosey was born in the “Magic City” of Birmingham, Alabama, and spent his 

youth in historic Jefferson County. Named for Thomas Jefferson, the area was settled by Soldiers 

who fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the Creek War. The county’s founding predates the 

establishment of the state of Alabama. As a young boy, Michael loved to read books about 

military history. During his youth, he would attend Clay-Chalkville High School where he was 

remembered by his classmates as “a good listener” and as someone with a great sense of humor 

who, no matter the time or situation, “could put a smile on your face.” 

 In 2001, Michael would make the decision to join the United States Army with the aim of 

becoming a communications intelligence specialist. After completing basic training, he would 

get additional training in the field of languages and tactical SIGINT operations, and serve in a 

variety of intelligence-related positions. In 2005, he would be assigned to Ft. Lewis, Washington, 

where he would become part of the 1st Special Forces Group and begin to hone his skills as 

a member of a Special Operations Team (SOT). SOTs are 

known and respected for their uncanny ability to conduct 

electronic warfare operations on the battlefield. Their 

mission is a unique, but vital one, namely, to detect, monitor, 

and exploit enemy communications.. 

Michael proved to be a valuable member of his team. His 

fellow Soldiers, like his high school classmates, would come 

to not only admire his contributions on the battlefield, but 

also his sense of humor. One of his fellow Soldiers, who had 

deployed with Michael on two previous occasions, noted 

that, “He had a jokester side. When you think of the military, 

you may always think of being lockstep, proper and inside 

of a square; but it’s not always true. In our private lives, we 
know how to have fun and he was someone who could 

lighten a mood very easily.” 

But while Michael was both a brave warrior and a good 

and loyal friend to his fellow Soldiers, life on the battlefield 

is one of endless peril and danger. While on patrol in 

Afghanistan, on September 17, 2011, SSG Michael Hosey 

would lose his life when his unit was attacked by enemy 

forces. For his service in combat, he would be posthumously 

awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Purple Heart, 

and the Bronze Star Medal.

On October 2, 2011, the American flag adjoining the 

Clay-Chalkville High School flew at half-mast in honor of the service and supreme sacrifice of 

one of its own. SSG Michael W. Hosey would be honored and remembered by his friends, family, 

and fellow Soldiers. That night Mr. Jerry Hood, the football 

coach at Hosey’s alma mater, would relate that “...We 

honor him as a hero, and his life was meaningful.  And 

nothing better can be said about a person than to have 

honor.” Michael’s mom perhaps described him best by 

simply noting, “My son was someone who had a deep love 

for his people and his country.” SSG Michael W. Hosey, in 

his short, but eventful time on earth lived a life exemplified 

not only by honor, but also by unmatched pride and 

devotion to the Nation for which he gave his life.

SSG Michael W. Hosey

United States Army

September 23, 1983 – September 17, 2011

Visit our web site, http://www.nsa.gov

MEMORIAL DAY 2012

Photos courtesy of the Hosey family • Narrative - Patrick Weadon, Curator, National Cryptologic Museum • Graphics/Layout - NSA Creative Imaging-55742