911 prompts Krohnfeldt to join Army
Served multiple tours in Iraq, Kuwait, now Sleepy Eye Legion commander
U.S. Army Combat Engineer Josh Krohnfelt holds his Army unit banner.
Submitted photo U.S. Army Combat Engineer Josh Krohnfeldt holds his weapon in a Humvee in the Middle East.
U.S. Army Combat Engineer Josh Krohnfelt holds his Army unit banner.
Submitted photo U.S. Army Combat Engineer Josh Krohnfeldt holds his weapon in a Humvee in the Middle East.
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SPRINGFIELD -- The Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Twin Towers in New York City prompted Sleepy Eye native Josh Krohnfeldt to join the U.S. Army.
"I saw those towers fall in New York that day and felt I needed to do something. Plus I wanted to do so something else with my life," he said.
Krohnfeldt joined the Army and became a combat engineer, serving three tours with 1st Engineers, Bravo Company 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in Iraq and Kuwait in 2002 and 2005.
He talked frankly about his overseas deployments.
"I saw a lot of action," said Krohnfeldt. "We first went to Kuwait, then Iraq. We joined U.S. Marine forces and served with guys from all over the world including British and even some soldiers from Africa and Korea."
He said weightlifting was something he could do for fun in the desert.
"We made weights out of sandbags," said Krohnfeldt. "We'd pour water over each other to shower once in a while. After a few months, we could get something cold to drink from a cooler in a store we set up. We mostly ate MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). It was about 130 degrees during the day. It was hot wearing body armor. At night, 80 to 90 degrees felt cold."
He was awarded the Purple Heart Award for a combat injury plus an Iraqi Expeditionary Medal. He was involved in three IED (Improvised Explosive Device) explosions and was injured in one IED and car bomb explosion. He received expert rifleman and expert machine gunner medals.
"We trained a lot of mines and explosives," said Krohnfeldt.
Rest and relaxation included four days in Qatar.
"We got to eat at a Subway, Applebee's and a pizza restaurant," he said. "There was a small pool and jacuzzi and a small shopping center. I was able to get a pin-striped suit and tux. We got a small boat tour, a barbecue, a couple beers a day and even swam in the Persian Gulf."
Now, he's Sleepy Eye American Legion Post 7 commander.
"I've been active with the organization for several years and feel it's especially important to help veterans and others deal with things like suicide," he said. "I also do a lot of volunteer work for the American Legion at Bavarian Blast and my church, St. John's Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye."
He enjoyed fishing in Lake of the Woods, local deer, duck and pheasant hunting and spending time with family.