Mike was born in Minneola, Long Island on 19 Sep 1960. There he attended Half Hollow Hills high school and graduated in 1978.

He enlisted in the Air Force 8 Aug 1978. His first duty position was as an apprentice cable splicer assigned to the 1931 Communications Group, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

On 17 Dec 80 to 16 Dec 85 Mike was assigned to the 1827 Electronics Installation Squadron, Kelly AFB, Texas. During this period he was recognized as “one of the finest” by his squadron Commander.

Mike cross-trained into pararescue in Dec of 1985. He successfully completed the very difficult and demanding Pararescue Indoctrination Course, Army Special Forces Scuba School, Water Survival, Army Airborne Training, Air Force Survival School, and the Pararescue Recovery Specialist course. He attained fixed wing and rotary wing aircrew qualification and attended an Advanced Combat Tactics Course. Mike was awarded his maroon beret and his hard work and academic excellence led to his selection as class honor graduate.

From 12 Dec 86 thru 19 Nov 89 Mike was assigned to the 55th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron and 1730 Pararescue Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, FL. Here Mike participated in mountain rescue training in Dahlonega, GA and Project Denali and was selected to represent the unit on the March 89 summit climb of Mt McKinley. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement near Addis Ababa for search and subsequent recovery of Congressman Mickey Leland and delegation missing on a humanitarian mission in Ethiopia.

From 20 Nov 89 thru 20 Mar 91 Mike was assigned to the 1730 Pararescue Squadron and 71st Rescue Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Mike received the Air Force Commendation Medal for the rescue of two German climbers stranded at the 20,000 ft level on Mount McKinley level suffering from severe hypothermia and cerebral edema. He treated their injuries and evacuated them to the 17,000-foot base camp. Also during this time frame he was one of eight climbers to summit Mount McKinley at 20,320 ft. His solid leadership was instrumental in the squadron receiving “most improved pararescue facility in rescue” from Headquarters Air Rescue Service. Mike maintained a 4.0 GPA in CCAF Associate degree Applied Rescue Science Program.

From 21 Mar 91 to 20 Mar 94 Mike was assigned to Lackland AFB, Texas as a Pararescue Instructor. He earned the coveted Aerospace Achievement Award and graduated the ATC Command NCO Academy on Lackland as a distinguished graduate. As a line instructor, his proactive vision and professional leadership resulted in record graduate numbers, increasing student accessions 40 percent while decreasing attrition by 10 percent. At the US Army Master Fitness Trainer School at Ft Hood, Texas he won honor graduate award for best academic/physical record and attained the highest PT point total. He was also recognized as the faculty’s best communicator and instructor.

From 21 Mar 94 – 20 Mar 97 Mike was assigned to the 41 Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, Florida. Here he was selected as Air Combat Command HC-130P Pararescueman of the year and received the coveted First Fighter Wing “Warrior Award” for his superlative efforts. He also was credited with the saving of two Spanish civilians severely injured while skiing. Mike deployed Saudi Arabia on three separate occasions, totaling more than 8 months, in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. He was overall Team Leader for 10 successful deployments supporting National Aeronautics Space Administration space shuttle contingency operations. He was awarded the Community College of the Air Force degree in Electronics Systems Technology.

From 21 Mar 97 - 20 Mar 2001 Mike was assigned to the 41 Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia. Here Mike refined his functional areas to perfection resulting in error-free findings during the ACC Unit Compliance Inspection.

And on 21 Mar 01 he was assigned to the 38th RQS, Moody AFB, GA. Here Mike was handpicked as the first Joint Search and Rescue Center PJ representative in SWA and was an excellent advocate for combat rescue operations. He was primary jumpmaster and instructor on 25 critical upgrade training flights. He provided emergency medical treatment during a car accident near coalition compound; successfully treating two OSI agents and two Saudi nationals.

Mike was a vital contributor in his unit’s wide-ranging support of the 347th Rescue Wing and Air Force Mission. He’s a cherished father and a truly professional Pararescueman. He is survived by his sons Kyle and Kody; his grandmother, Alice Maltz; his mother, Patricia Iverson; his dad, John Maltz; his sister, Terri M. Strappoli; and his brothers Derek and Richard Maltz.

Master Sergeant Maltz’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal (with 1 device), Air Force Commendation Medal (2 devices), Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (3 devices), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (7 devices), National Defense Service Medal (1 device), Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (1 device), Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (5 devices), NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon (1 device), Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (1 device), Air Force Training Ribbon.

Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz called his sister in Hauppauge the night before he left for Afghanistan earlier this month to say a quick goodbye and share a laugh.

"I said, 'Mike, go kick some butt and get home,'" Terri Strippoli recalled yesterday. "We laughed about it."

On Monday, Strippoli learned that her brother, who grew up in Wheatley Heights and graduated from Half Hollow Hills High School in 1978, was one of six Air Force members who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Sunday.

Maltz, 42, and a father of two, belonged to an elite pararescue squadron that was on a medical evacuation mission. Strippoli said her brother was a career military man, a poster boy for the Air Force who was pictured on the cover of a recruitment pamphlet for the pararescue group.

Maltz belonged to the 38th Rescue Squadron based at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. The squadron provides emergency medical treatment, conducts search and rescue operations, recovers downed air crews and also is trained to participate in NASA space shuttle launch rescues.

"He got into that and that became his life," Strippoli said. "He loved jumping out of planes."

Childhood friend Jedd Matus of Hauppauge said Maltz had told him of some of his adventures. "He was proud of all of his accomplishments," Matus said. "He would tell me how he would save guys on the side of mountains. People hiking would get caught and he would have to rescue them."

Air Force officials at Moody Air Force Base yesterday declined to identify or discuss the service records of those on the helicopter, saying "their names are being withheld until next of kin are notified."

However, Air Force officials have said the crash was likely not caused by enemy fire. The group's commander issued a statement of condolence to the families.

"The Air Force is a close-knit family and the loss of one of our own affects us all," said Brig. Gen. John H. Folkerts.

The helicopter crashed about 8:50 p.m. local time, about 20 miles north of Ghazni, according to officials at Bagram Air Base, north of the capital, Kabul. Ghazni lies 50 miles southwest of Kabul.

Moody Air Force Base is planning a memorial service Thursday for the airmen who died in the crash. Strippoli said her brother will be buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn, but services have not been scheduled.

Maltz never returned to live on Long Island after enlisting in the Air Force. He traveled all over the world on different missions and lived on bases in Alaska, Florida, Texas and Georgia.

"He liked that lifestyle," she said. "The only thing he hated was being separated from his children." Maltz had two sons, Kyle, 14, and Cody, 11, who live with his former wife, Beverly Maltz, in Seattle. He was thinking of moving there after retiring from the Air Force, his sister said.

Maltz's other survivors include his parents, Patricia Iveerson of St. Petersburg, Fla., and John Maltz of Las Vegas; brothers Rick Maltz of Hampden, Maine, and Derek Maltz of Succasunna, N.J. "I never worried about him," Strippoli said. "My brother was a big, strong, strapping guy."

Airman with Marysville ties killed in Afghanistan

Herald Staff And Associated Press

An airman with ties to Snohomish County was among six killed in a military helicopter crash while on a mercy mission to rescue two injured children in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon said Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, 42, of St. Petersburg, Fla., a pararescue specialist, was on the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter that crashed Sunday in stormy weather.

Maltz's two young sons and ex-wife live in the Puget Sound area and for a couple of years lived in Marysville on the Tulalip reservation.

Maltz, who lived in Valdosta, Ga., often talked of leaving the Air Force after a 24-year career to be near his sons, Kyle, 16, Cody, 12, said Maltz's mother, Patricia Iverson.

getting out of the Air Force. He never had a civilian job. He didn't know what he was going to do. He was fearful of not being able to get a job at 42."

On Monday, an Air Force press officer at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan said the cause of the crash was being investigated, but it was not believed to be the result of enemy action.

The crash occurred late Sunday 50 miles southwest of Kabul and 20 miles north of Ghazni, Afghanistan.

Maltz, who grew up in Long Island, N.Y., loved to skydive, ski and climb mountains, his mother said.

He Made 'Ultimate Sacrifice'
LI native who died in crash mourned
By Joie Tyrrell

April 4, 2003

As he stood near the gray casket bordered by sprays of red, white and blue flowers, Derek Maltz reflected on the death of his brother, Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, who died in a helicopter crash last month in Afghanistan.

"Obviously, he was a hero," Maltz, of Succasunna, N.J., said as mourners filed past him at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn yesterday. "He died defending the country and we're very proud of him."

Michael Maltz, 42, a native of Wheatley Heights, was memorialized yesterday with full military honors and a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills, NY. Dozens of uniformed police, troopers and Air Force members turned out to remember the father of two. He had two sons, Kyle, 14, and Cody, 11, who live with his former wife, Beverly Maltz, in Seattle.

"He was a good friend to me," Air Force Master Sgt. Arthur Boyd told mourners inside the church. "He has made the ultimate sacrifice."

Maltz died March 23, along with five other servicemen, in a helicopter crash while on a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan. They were flying in an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to pick up two injured children and transport them for medical care. No cause has yet been given for the crash.

Maltz, a Half Hollow Hills High School East graduate who had been based with the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, was a member of an elite pararescue team that performed search and recovery missions all over the world. Their motto: "We serve that others may live."

It was a lifestyle that perfectly suited Maltz, his friends and family said. He was always up for adventure and loved a challenge. Boyd recalled that Maltz attempted to climb to the summit of Alaska's Mount McKinley in 1989, only to be stopped by frostbite.

A few years later, he was at it again. "It was one of his major accomplishments," Boyd said.

Maltz also performed daring rescues while stationed in Alaska, one time plucking two German hikers from the side of McKinley.

Graveside services were marked by a gun salute and a flyover by two military helicopters that circled above the cemetery. Air Force members presented Maltz's family with the flag that had been draped over his coffin.

"He gave his life for something that was important - the service of human beings," said St. Matthew Msgr. James McDonald. That is the lesson that school officials hope students at Half Hollow Hills East learn as they pass Maltz's photograph, which has been displayed in a main hallway.

"We are very proud of him," said principal Albert Kindelmann. "We want our students to ... understand that there are people who have walked these halls who have died for causes they believed in."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael H. Maltz Memorial Fund, c/o Bangor Savings Bank, 3 State St., Bangor, Maine 04401.

	Funeral of Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz held at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills, NY

USAF Pararescuemen and USAF Honor Guard take Mike to his final resting place	The coffin of Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Maltz is carried out of St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church