Memorial service for fallen Green Beret draws 1,100

A memorial service for Green Beret Staff Sgt. Scott Studenmund, who died June 9 during military engagement in Afghanistan, drew about 1,100 mourners to the Flintridge Preparatory School campus on Saturday.

Studenmund was a member of Prep’s class of 2008 who was a student-athlete there. He went on to play football at Pitzer College and remained at that school for a year before joining the military. He spent two years training to serve in the Army’s Special Forces unit. The deaths of Studenmund and four other servicemen killed in the same engagement are being investigated by the military as an incident of “friendly fire.”

“Scott lived virtuously and soulfully,” Peter Bachmann, the La Cañada private school’s headmaster, told those assembled, according to a news release.

Woody Studenmund, the fallen man’s father, also addressed the crowd, offering words of gratitude to family, friends, the 5th Special Forces Group and the Flintridge Prep community, according to Prep spokesperson Nicole Trevor. Serving as officiant was another family member, the Rev. Sally Studenmund Newhall, Scott Studenmund’s aunt.

The serviceman was remembered by classmates and friends for having high energy and boundless enthusiasm. Former classmate and now U.S. Army 1st Lt. Denny Lowe recalled Studenmund as a caring individual, adding that he was “tenacious, eager and selfless.”

The service at Prep followed one held earlier in the week at Fort Campbell, Ky., where his family was presented his received Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. His previous military accomplishments included the leadership award from the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant course, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Diver Badge, and the “top team” award from the Special Forces Level II Sniper course.

Prep’s headmaster Bachmann has announced the creation of the Scott Studenmund ’08 Memorial Fund, which will provide an annual award to a member of Prep’s coaching staff and will also go toward enhancing athletic facilities at the campus.

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Follow Carol Cormaci on Twitter: @CarolCormaci.
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