WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant John D. Linde was born in Secaucus, New Jersey and lived in Weehawken, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde volunteered for enlistment in the United States Army, after his graduation from Union Hill High School, Union City, New Jersey, where he starred as a wrestler; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde volunteered for re-enlistment in the United States Army following the September 11, 2001 attacks on this country; and

WHEREAS Sergeant Linde served with distinction as a proud member of the United States Army's fabled 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York, and in dangerous and demanding overseas assignments in Korea, Bosnia, and Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde was a veteran soldier and an experienced non-commissioned officer; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde consistently demonstrated the finest values of the United States military, while leading the many soldiers who served under his command with honor, courage, and compassion; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde has earned some of our nation's highest military honors, including the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Bronze Star; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde was killed in the vicinity of Kirkuk, Iraq, during a time of war while serving as a member of the United States Army's 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde was a dedicated soldier as well as a loving husband, father, son, brother, son-in-law, and friend, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Linde's patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow soldiers make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American, United States Army Staff Sergeant John D. Linde.


2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 26th day
of November, Two Thousand and Seven, and
of the Independence of the United States, the
Two Hundred and Thirty-Second.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Kenneth H. Zimmerman