SEMPER FI! LCpl Daniel Wyatt, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC.
Posted on 10/26/2004 7:10:52 AM PDT by NavyCanDo
Letter about Fallen Marine
October 25, 2004
It is with the deepest sadness and most profound grief that I must report to you the loss of Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC. Daniel was killed in the line of duty, while conducting foot patrolling operations in Yusufiyah Iraq. Daniel was killed by a command detonated improvised explosive device. He died instantly, suffered no pain and was immediately recovered by his fellow Marines.
My command security element and I personally recovered Daniel's body and escorted him back to the forward operating base, and then onto the helicopter for the beginning of his final ride home. I cannot even begin to express to you the soul touching sight of combat hardened Marines, encrusted with weeks of sweat and dust, who have daily been engaged in combat, coming to complete and utter solemnity and respect in the handling of the body of one of their own. It puts on display a level of brotherly love you just cannot see anywhere else.
We conducted a memorial service for Daniel in the battle space owned by his fellow Marines, as well as one the following day at the battalion forward operating base. I have spoken with his fiance and expressed the sorrow and sympathy of the entire Battalion.
If I might for a moment, I hear and see some of the media coverage. I hear the accusations and charges. I hear what could almost be labeled as hysteria over the situation in Iraq. Let me tell you something from ground level. The town of Yusufiyah that Daniel and his fellow Marines seized, had not seen government structure or security forces for over 8 months. FOREIGN FIGHTERS, TERRORIST AND THUGS have had free reign and have routinely murdered people in the market for no reason other than one day they MIGHT support a democratic process and speak for themselves. For nothing more than they MIGHT choose a version of religion even slightly different than the terrorists and foreign fighters. They live in squalor and fear. The Marines of Daniel's unit have not had a shower since seizing the town. They have eaten MREs day in and day out. They live a Spartan existence that few can imagine. And, on all my trips to their position for planning, coordination and command visits, I ask them if they want to be relieved. To a man, they look me in the eye and tell me NO WAY. Why? Well, I am not going to soften it for anyone, the primary reason why is to kill terrorists. Please remember, that is what they are trained and paid to do. But, they also tell me, they want to help the people of Yusufiyah. They want to show all of Iraq that they can stand on their own feet, push back against extremism, and with our help live the life of freedom that all men yearn for. Yes, from the mouths of these young and hardened warriors, this is what they tell me. And then...and then...they ask me how I am doing! Un-freaking believable! They worry about everyone else but themselves.
So believe what you want. That is your right as Americans. But I am telling you, there are no heroes on any football fields, basketball courts or halls of government. There are honorable and decent people all over America. However, the heroes are on the battlefields of Iraq. Suffering, killing and DYING that others might live, and live in FREEDOM. Americans free from terror, Iraqis free from oppression and tyranny.
I am an under-educated gun toter from Indiana who is just lucky there is an organization like the USMC where a half-wit like myself with some rudimentary combat skills can succeed. But I do know heroes! I am surrounded by over a thousand of them. And I am not the least bit ashamed to tell you I have wept like a baby for Daniel Wyatt. Because when one of these heroes falls, it is if an Angel of God himself has fallen from heaven! I will not profess glory of battle or any other such hype. I will profess duty and sacrifice. Daniel showed us all true duty and ultimate sacrifice. I have no doubt that the instant he died, he was whisked to heaven on the wings of Angels and placed before the unapproachable light of Jesus, who himself said: "greater love hath no man, than a man lay down his life for his friends."
GOD BLESS AND KEEP DANIEL WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND FIANCEE AND GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES OF 2/24.
Yours in profound sadness Mark A. Smith, LtCol
God bless em' - all our soldiers and sailors!
I feel so sad for the family. I hope that people will never forget the sacrifice of soldiers such as this fallen marine for freedom.
God Bless Daniel and his family! All true Americans appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifices of all servicemembers!
LCpl Wyatt was from our town - In fact, he was an alumnus of the school my children currently attend. They held a memorial service for him last week.
He was a great American, and he died in a just cause - Making our world a safer place, and bringing liberty to a people who have lived under the boot of oppression for too long.
Keep him in your prayers.
All hands on deck!
Attention!!
Hand Salute,
Ready.....too.
I say this to John Kerry, never again will Americans allow you and people like you to dishonor the soldier. You will not be able to turn us against our men and women in service as you did in Vietnam. Never again.
God Bless our troops and God Bless President Bush.
Anyone who cannot praise our fighting men and women for the sacrifices they are making, does not deserve to live in this Great Nation! Without our military this nation would never have gained or maintained the freedoms we enjoy. While we were at it we've freed a lot of other people around the world.
God Bless this Marine and all who came before him and those who will follow. God Bless America and keep her strong.
D Flurry
USAF 72-76
I have two nephews serving in the USMC. Semper Fi.
D Flurry
USAF 72-76
May God bless you and hold you safely in His arms. May His blessings and love surround your family and loved ones, comforting them during this trying period.
Words cannot begin to express the deep appreciation our family has for your sacrifice.
Semper Fi.
I would follow that colonel into he$$ itself.
Semper Fi
SEMPER FI! LCpl Daniel Wyatt, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC.
An "Outstanding" letter,Lt. Col. Smith is an excellent Marine officer and a fine man! Such a compassionate letter with true meaning in time of war is beyond words! The true heroes are these Marine officers and Marines who fight for freedom not only for Iraqis, but for all of us back home. Make no mistake, these brave young men are fighting so we can continue to enjoy our freedom in the greatest country in the world-America! With the grace of God and a "few good men" they will continue to shine as America's next "Greatest Generation"!
Best regards,
Sgt. K-Bar
~Semper Fi!~
God Bless America!
Happy B-Day USMC 229 years old!
I was extremely pleased, even in bad circumstances, to discover that the Marines still had field grade officers with that kind of sand.
Happy Birthday Marines and Semper Fi.
Mad
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