This is such a sad story for both of the families involved. We need more support for our returning troops. I cannot imagine how horrible it would be fighting in the or any war. My condolences go out to both families and my thanks to all our Vet's current and former!

Such a sad story and too bad this guy didn't get the treatment he needed beforehand. But one thing that concerns me is that if Gundrum didn't buy this guy's story, why did he only get 28 years opposed to a life sentence? Sounds pretty soft on crime to me...

I was out of state last year and missed this story. Where in Waukesha did it happen?

It was in the 2000 block of South Cliff-alex Court.

Jim thank you so much for your insite. I wish your entire family and those of the victims familes will at some point be able to be friends.

Zach was one of my best friends in the Marine Corps. We also deployed twice to Iraq together. There are plenty of ways to get treatment for PTSD that doesn't involve killing someone. James if you haven't been there you probably can't fathom it. I was there i know what it is like. That does not give you a reason to kill someone. If he wanted the help he could have got it.

Well - to set the records straight.
Steve did not serve in Combat Operations. He was a generator mechanic, specifically a diesel mechanic. He was not with Socom, Special Forces, etc. He was a reservist recalled to duty, spun up at Ft. McCoy. His records from Ft. McCoy show that he barely passed the basic quals for overseas deployment. He does not have a CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) that is awarded for direct action. Everything that he has told all of you is BS. He does not have PTSD because he did nothing except eat at the chow hall, and fix generators. He had higher adventures for himself and his emails back home. Basically he served 7 months overseas, and that does not count as 2 tours. He did 7 months. Steve complained of thunderclap headaches, PTSD and all of this, He had the VA snowed. He might have been depressed because he couldn't maintain employment. Zach on the other hand was a distinguished USMC vet with combat experience. It's a shame he died at the hand of his friend. Steve was passed over for DOD/DOS work because he was black listed as having wanted to go back overseas to see what it felt like to kill someone. A shame he did.

Good night Steve I hope life gives you everything you have coming!

I deleted several comments that had swearing in them because that violates our terms of use. Please feel free to repost comments without swearing in them or I will have to closed down the thread.

To the Zach Gallenberg family, I am sincerely sorry for your loss.

James Neilson - not only was I at every hearing concerning your cousin, I was also there the night your cousin snapped. Zach was not any more aggressive with your cousin than they have consistently been with each other in the past.
Steve was extremely aggressive that night. He laid his hands on my neck and held me down on the couch. He may not have done any physical damage to me that night, but I accredit that to Zach. The only thing steve ever said to me about it was the I "challenged" him. I never challenge anyone to put their hands anywhere near my neck. And I'm not the only one he's done this to, or attempted to do this to.
Zach wanted steve to take his anger out on him. Zach knew he could handle it and wanted steve to let off some steam. Zach had zero intent to end steve's life that night as steve is diligenty sticking to. Zach never would've turned a gun on his "brother" the way steve did.
As for steve never being a racist like his lawyers tried claiming: I knew of steve in high school. I knew him by his nickname: Nazi Steve. He wouldn't even talk to me in high school because I'm 1/4 Puerto Rican. I wasn't born there, raised there, or brought up with any of there customs, yet I was disgusting and unpure and not worthy of his time. If that's not racism, I don't know what is.

I respect that fact that he is your cousin. And I respect that you will defend him. But maybe you should get to know all the facts of a story and all the sides of a person before deciding if they're really a good person. A truly good, honorable, caring person never would've murdered their "brother" in cold blood.

I think it is so sad how my fiance' can not post anything about how he feels about his cousin Steve without being bashed personally. This is the reason he removed all of his comments. I do believe James posted how he felt what his cousin did was wrong, he just believes Steve had a mental issue of PTSD. James grew up with his cousin and had talked to Steve a few days before the incident. James felt something was mentally going on with Steve then. James mentioned how he didn't condone what his cousin did and knows it was very wrong! Steve should be allowed to get the help he needs.
I wish all of the family and friends of Zach peace and happiness. We are truely sorry for your loss!

It is a shame that anybody would bad mouth people on this board. The moderator is going a great job and she should not have to police us. We should act like adults. As far as mental issues I find it horrible that some people who are not understanding of brain chemistry issues would bad mouth a vet even though what he did was wrong and I bet he would be the first to say it was a mistake. Smile people, there but by the grace of God go all of us.

Specialty MOS - 52D1 - Power Generator Equipment Repairman
His training dates from 20080502 - 20080517,That's 15 days of trng. Wait, maybe a day or 2 for admin stuff. Steve was not Special Forces. Review in Box11 (Performance Summary) States Marginally achieved course standards. The course included training on, convoy operations, detainee operation, the M9, M4, M203, M2, M240, and M249. Basic Land Nav, Basic Communications, Squad Unit Tactics. Ok so Far, Steve didnt become the Delta Force Commando he pretended to be when he flipped his Challenge Coin out, or wait. Maybe his Book called the Killer Elite that was supposedly based on his units actions.His review goes on to say he satisfactorily communicated with others, passed the minimum standards, and interacted with other personnel as a team player. Entered Service 20050906 // Date Separated 20060818 That's 11 months 13 days.
National Defense Service Ribbon - A gimme, Joint Service Comm. Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal - You landed in Iraq, and you took a breath, a gimme
Global War on Terrorism - A gimme
Overseas Svc Ribbon - a gimme
Army Svc Medal - a gimme
Armed forces service medal w/device - a gimme
No CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) - If you participated in any action, got accidentally mortared, took indirect fire, the FOB got nuked, you get it. He didnt get anything. Plus his MOS dis-allows him from participating in direct action. They dont use generator mechanics to kick doors like he TOLD you.

Service in Iraq from 2005 1014 - 2006 0730. There is time for the RIP, the preparation for the incoming unit. The clearance i Kuwait, etc. So his actual Ground time is 7 months.

Here is the ADDRESS for those that where snowed -
Commanding Officer
0377 CS CO MNT Det2, FC
Fort McCoy, WI. 54656-5150

You will not violate anything by requesting the details for yourself. No information has been compromised, such as a SSN.

Name of Trng School was - 2-426 RGT(GS), Ft. MCCoy - Army National Guard
Course completion - 20080517

The guy showed no remorse. He apologized, he cried about his sentencing, but did he REALLY ever apologize? NO! He tried to use the excuse to the very end that he was 'protecting his life"!

Anyone who is really remorseful would take FULL responsibility for their actions.

His parents asked for NO TIME! They jeered a grieving mother and her family! In spite of all the facts posted here using public military records and testimony by people who served, you still think this guy suffered mental disorder from combat?

SO tell me Shaina, since you are about to marry into this family....is that something to defend? The guy is mentally ill, but it has nothing to do with his service. Your new extended family who asked for NO TIME to be served, who taunted and jeered the family who lost a real hero, seem to be no more remorseful than the murderer they raised.

Do I feel sorry for Osburns family? No! Because anyone who would jeer and taunt the family of the man their son slaughtered are no better than he is. Had they stood and apologized, had they shown any remorse for the murdered man and his family I would say sure. BUt they SUPPORT him in this! And YOU get to marry into this wonderful brood! He choked and attacked WOMEN and blamed it on combat he never saw. Then he murdered his best friend, and to the end never took responsibility. Still lied through his teeth until the gavel dropped.

So WHY should anyone defend someone who lied and acted cowardly like that? WHY?

It's sad because no one really knows what either of the boys were thinking. Both family's have suffered a loss even though the Gallenberg's loss was, sadly, far greater and much, much harder to live with. Although I'm sure Osburn's parents are also devastated knowing their only son has done such a thing. Who wouldn't be? It's not fair to take a swing at either of the parents here. They are both hurting.

Of course, what does anyone expect? The service takes these young kids and turns them into mindless killing machines (even if they see minimal combat or none at all...they need to be ready) The PTSD happens, I believe, when they have miraculously survived whatever experiences they encounter over there and return home, often maimed both physically and mentally. Then, they receive minimal support to be able to reacclimate themselves into a society that really doesn't understand, and never really will, what they've been through because they've never done it themselves. Marine Raider One, tell us that you NEVER have messed up thoughts anymore or bad dreams about what you saw in combat. My father screamed in his sleep, after coming home, almost up till the time he died. It DOES affect you, I don't care what anyone says.

Oops sorry I guess I didn't fully read the above comments. I wasn't there but if what people are saying is true, I'm getting a bad taste in my mouth hearing that Osburn's family "taunted" the Gallenberg's in front of the courthouse. REALLY???!!??? That is horribly uncalled for! Any mother/family grieving for a son who was just mercifully sent away to prison to emerge 28 years later (when the victim's mother is standing there with no son at all) and yet condones harassment of that grieving family....has not an ounce of class or compassion.

never 2slate: Actually we DO know what they were thinking from the eprsonal testimony of bot the killer and a woman who was there , plus the bartenders.

Secondly, he NEVER saw combat at all. So PTSD CANNOT be factored in.

Third: Osburn has been shown to be a complete liar. He worked on generators. He told his friends and family that he was Delta Force, that he was forced to kill women and children. He was too physically unfit for combat per his records.

He was a simple wannabee who murdered his best friend. He murdered Zach out of jealousy, stupidity, and that was all. It was not just a 'mistake'.

Zach was real combat vet. Well loved, unpretentious man. Osburn was a nazi wannabee from high school on. ALways tried to be something that he saw as a power position, like Special Forces.

Zach was murdered because he tried to help this idiot that night. bartenders, friends, he actually saved a woman from getting choked by osbvurn, that is how this ebgan. he was trying to keep Osburn from doing something stupid and paid the ultimate price for helping someone in need. And how does his family react? They blame Zachs family! They blame the military thinking that Osburns lies were actually fact in spite of the evidence to the contrary by his own unit members and offical records.

Don't pull that PSTD garbage, I suffered it for almost 30 years and KNOW what it is. And Osburn did NOT have it.

@ Real Vet: May I suggest to you a wonderful program offered, free of charge, through the VA, called Guitars for Vets. You can read more at guitars4vets.org. Run by dedicated volunteers, it has been a wonderful help to those brave veterans who fought for our freedoms to be able to deal with PTSD though music therapy. All the best to you and, just in case you haven't heard it...THANK YOU!!

Actually I took a trip some eyars back to my old 'stomping grounds' overseas. It stopped the nightmares for the most part. Though I appreciate the offer, I think for the best part its under control, with exception of somewhat snapping when someone corners or threatens me. Not sure that will ever go away, but it has improved. I have never attacked or harmed a woman or child however, so somewhere inside the limitations are set. Which is why I have a huge problem with Osburns history oft hat type of assault. I feel that any limitations would have been set in childhod by parents and family. And any family who acts like those people did, it is no surprise he was such a pathological liar and a bully. Most men who have seen comabt have a distaste for more bloodhsed and senseless killing. Only the few who were mentally ill prior are the ones who have those issues. But where he is going....he will have to deal with men much more hard and cruel than he ever dreamed of being. So Karma is in the works. I knew Zach. And if he wanted to harm Osburn it would have been done, but he had real self control as a man should. Osburn was never under any threat from him, and he knew it then and he knows it now. He was drunk and stupid and is simply not man enough to admit it.

Zach was a wonderful, beautiful boy! Our lives will never be the same, everything exciting, wonderful, happy will always have a blanket of sadness layed over it! I miss him more than anyone could ever understand!

Two years have passed, and still missing Zach so much. Love you Jo.

Jeff S
Zach u r my best friend went from riding to school chasing the girls around wrestling in the front yard then to taking your mom cigs hiding in the garage Rafters to smoke em to going to have drinks at the bar I miss u Man U gave me hope made me look at life in a whole new prospective wanna thank u for every thing hope u got the bandana found the one u gave me when I lost mine on my bike love u bro