Names, Stories, and Pictures of the Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Wire Reports | 3/22/03 | Wire Reports

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Names of the four US Marines who died in yesterday's helicopter crash:

Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine

Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill.

Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas

Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, of Baltimore, Md.

The Pentagon has just released the names of two more US Marines who were killed in Iraq. I'll post as soon as I find that.

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Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather


http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0304/12/a02-134271.htm

Newlywed Clio airman latest Michigan war victim

Seven soldiers tied to the state have died in fighting in Iraq

By Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News

CLIO -- A third newlywed soldier from Michigan has been killed in Iraq this week.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather, 29, of Clio was killed in action in the war, relatives said Thursday. Details about the death were sketchy.

The news comes one day after the disclosure that two other newly married soldiers from Michigan also had died in Iraq. In all, seven soldiers connected to the state have died in the fighting.

"Any man would have been proud to be his father," said Sather's uncle, state Rep. John Gleason, D-Flushing.

In July, Sather married his wife, Mel, in a huge wedding, Gleason said. The couple planned to have children.

Friends and family described Sather as a good athlete who was well known in the small town of Clio about five miles north of Flint.

He played football and basketball at Clio High School, where he graduated in 1991. He was especially prized for his toughness, friends said.

Gleason said his nephew was outgoing and well-liked. He said he still couldn't believe the news of his death.

"Yesterday I was numb and today I'm absolutely depressed," he said.

As it happened, it was Gleason's turn to say the opening prayer to begin the legislative session Thursday, one day after he learned the grim news. He asked the legislators to say a prayer for the families of the troops and give special consideration to his young nephew.

In the military, Sather served with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. The special forces unit appealed to him because he was athletic and worked well with others, relatives said.

In the unit he was a combat air traffic controller. Combat controllers are trained in parachuting, scuba diving, radio communications and air traffic control.

Even after he left Clio High, Sather continued to follow the exploits of the sports teams he played on, Gleason said.

And the small town continued to follow the doings of one of its favorite sons.

"If you met Scott, you would never forget him," Gleason said. "People naturally gravitated toward him."

On Wednesday, it was disclosed that Marine Pfc. Juan Garza, 20, of Temperance and Army Pfc. Jason Meyer, 23, of Howell had been killed in action.

Garza, who was married the day after Christmas, was fatally shot by a sniper. Meyer, who had recently celebrated his one-year anniversary, died when his personnel carrier was fired upon in Baghdad, possibly near Baghdad International Airport.

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Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather

[Ligeia]

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/vaapwire/MGBT4CGPKED.html

Winchester Marine dies after being wounded in Iraq


Apr 15, 2003

WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) _ A 20-year-old Marine from Winchester died in combat in Baghdad, the fifth Virginian killed in the war against Iraq, the Defense Department said Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. David Edward Owens Jr. was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Owens' mother, Debbie Owens, remembered her son Tuesday as a man who was ready for a challenge and proud to serve his country. She said the family was notified Saturday that he had been injured in battle and told that wounds did not appear to be life-threatening.

But on Monday afternoon, an Army chaplain and a Marine lieutenant colonel arrived at the family's doorstep.

"I knew then that he didn't make it," Debbie Owens told The Winchester Star. He had been shot in the chest during a battle in Baghdad.

"Our whole life was centered around him," she added.

Owens, an only child, last saw his parents when he was home during a 10-day leave over the New Year's holiday, before leaving for Kuwait from California on Jan. 28. He told them he wasn't worried about the deployment, that it was what he had been training for.

"That was his job," his mother said. "He was very proud to be a Marine."

Since his deployment, his mother received two letters, the last dated March 3. David Owens Sr. said his son's unit was constantly on the move during the war.

Owens graduated from high school in 2000, then drifted from job to job, his mother said. He decided he wanted to become a state trooper, and headed to the Marines as a means of pursuing that goal. He joined in November 2000, signing up for four years of active duty and four of inactive service.

He loved hunting and athletics. He was a successful wrestler and football player in high school. Debbie Owens said her son was always trying to make her laugh and that he would want his parents to go on with their lives.

He would say to her, "You don't need to be crying. Why are you crying?" she said. "We couldn't ask for a better child."

The family said a funeral is planned for sometime next week.

Before Owens' death, the last Virginia casualty was Army 2nd Lt. Jeffrey J. Kaylor, 24, of Clifton, who was killed in a grenade attack on April 9.

In addition, Army Capt. James F. Adamouski, 29, of Springfield, was killed April 2 when the Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed. Marine Sgt. Michael V. Lalush of Troutville died March 30 after the Huey helicopter he was in crashed.

Virginia's first casualty was 31-year-old Marine Staff Sgt. Donald C. May Jr., who died after his tank fell off a bridge into the Euphrates River. May was buried Saturday in Chesterfield County.

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Army:

Spc. Thomas A. Foley III, 23, of Dresden, TN

Pfc. John E. Brown, 21, of Troy, AL

Spc. Richard A. Goward, 32, of Midland, MI

Marines:

Lance Cpl. David Edward Owens Jr., 20, of Winchester, VA

Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez, 25, of Hileah, FL

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Major Stephen Alexis Ballard

http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/ballard.htm

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence can confirm the death of Major Stephen Alexis Ballard. He died of natural causes on 30 March.

His family have issued the following statement:

"Stephen joined the Royal Marines in 1994 and was promoted to the rank of Major in 2001. He was passionate about his life in the Royal Marines and proud to be a marine.

"One of four sons, he loved his family. Stephen and Lucy had been married for 18 months and were thrilled at the prospect of the arrival of their first child later this year.

"Stephen's family, colleagues and wide circle of friends are devastated by his death which leaves a great void."

The family has requested that their privacy be respected at this distressing time.

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Major Stephen Alexis Ballard http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/ballard.htm

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Piper Christopher Muzvuru


http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/muzvuru.htm

It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence has to confirm that Piper Christopher Muzvuru, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, was killed in action in Basrah on 6 April.

Piper Muzvuru, who was 21, was born in Zimbabwe and enlisted into the Army in February 2001. After training, he joined his Battalion in October 2001. In April 2002 he completed a Pipers course at the Piping School in Edinburgh and was a valued member of the Battalion's Pipe Band.

He deployed to Operation Telic in an armoured infantry section with Number 1 Company, Irish Guards, as part of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group within 7 Armoured Brigade.

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Fusilier Kelan John Turrington


http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/turrington.htm

The Ministry of Defence regrets to announce that a soldier, Fusilier Kelan John Turrington, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed in action in Basrah on 6 April. He was aged 18.

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Fusilier Kelan John Turrington

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Fusilier Kelan John Turrington


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-638565,00.html

Youngest Briton died fulfilling boyhood dream to be a fusilier



THE youngest Briton killed in the Iraq conflict, Kelan John Turrington, 18, died in action as British troops stormed Basra on Sunday.

Fusilier Turrington, one of three soldiers killed in the fighting for Iraq’s second city, had wanted to be a soldier since he was a small boy. His father, John, 54, and mother, Ann, 46, never tried to change their son’s mind. From the age of four, Kelan would dress as a soldier to wait in the driveway of his home for his father to come home from work at the army training barracks in Catterick. The boy’s head would be swallowed by his father’s outsize beret bearing the red and white hackles of the Fusiliers.

The cap feathers have a splendid history. They were originally awarded to the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers as a battle honour to recognise their victory over the French in the 16-day Battle of Cul de Sac at St Lucia in 1778.

The triumphant Fusiliers had taken the white plumes from the headdress of their defeated enemy and worn them in their own caps.

The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, known as The Fifth Foot, was among four regiments united by the Queen in 1968 to create today’s Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Kelan’s father — nicknamed “Curly” — was in the 3rd Battalion and went on to serve at the Army training barracks in Bassingbourn, Hertfordshire.

During Kelan’s school days he wanted only to be a soldier. Stephen Munday, principal of Comberton Village College in Cambridgeshire, said: “Kelan was always totally reliable and trustworthy.

“He was very well-liked and popular with his classmates and the entire school staff.” His brother, Liam, 15, who is still at the same school, said: “He was a great brother and a good friend.”

Kelan, a West Ham United supporter, left school in 2001. He was a member of the Army Cadet Force in Cambridge before joining the 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Kelan was based in Germany before his posting to the Gulf.

He saw his family in February for a few days before his final mission. “He wanted to go to war,” his mother said. “He said ‘I joined up to serve’ and that we weren’t to worry because the British are the best. And they are.”

His father, a soldier for 23 years, said: “I wrote to him that we were very proud of him, not because he was a soldier, but because he was a good bloke. I lost my best mate.”

Kelan last spoke by telephone to his parents, who live in Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, three weeks ago, the day before the start of the attack on Iraq.

“We sent him parcels and I wrote to him all the time to say I loved him,” his mother said. “He said when letters arrived the lads were like kids running to the ice cream van.”

The Turringtons received no letters back. “I just hope he received them,” his mother said, “so he knew how much we loved him.”

One of the soldiers killed on Sunday in the battle for Basra was named last night as Lance Corporal Ian Malone of Dublin. The 28-year-old Irishman was a member of the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards and was serving with his regiment in Basra.

His family said that they were devastated by his death but took some comfort from knowing that he died doing the job he loved. “Ian was a wonderful son, full of life and vitality, fun and wit,” they said in a statement released by the British Embassy in Dublin.

“His family and girlfriend are devastated to learn of his death. He had so many friends and so much to live for. He loved the Army and lived for the excitement and challenges that being a soldier brought.”

Mr Malone’s family said that he was proud to be an Irishman and to be serving in the Irish Guards. Corporal Malone joined the Irish Guards in 1997 and served in Britain, Poland, Oman, Canada, Kosovo and Germany. He was a valued member of the regimental pipe band.

Three soldiers died in yesterday’s operation to take control of Iraq’s second city.

Royal Marine Christopher R. Maddison was killed when a river launch was ambushed by Iraqis on al-Faw peninsula, near Basra, on March 30.

Emma Graham writes: I did not know him as well as others, but I am proud to say that he was my friend. He was the nicest bloke you could ever hope to meet. He will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him. Especially here in Guisborough. We miss you Chris. Rest in Peace.

[Zacs Mom]

I am posting this in response to a beautiful email I received this evening from Mr. MURRAY HINCKLEY who wrote ~ "ON THIS DATE A MARINE BY THE NAME OF KELLY PRUITT, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN BAGHDAD, WAS BURIED IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA. HE WAS MY GREAT-GRANDSON'S GOD FATHER"

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Army Pvt. Kelley S. Prewitt, 24, of Centerpoint, Ala.

Army Pvt. Kelley Prewitt is kissed by his mother, Jean Prewitt, on Jan. 7, 2003, the day he left for Kuwait from Fort Benning.

In his last letter home, Army Pvt. Kelley Prewitt told his dad he wished he was back in Alabama, and that it wouldn't be long before he'd be calling for a ride home.

"He said he'd be calling me soon from the airport to please pick him up and please bring him his car," Steve Prewitt said Thursday.

Pvt. Prewitt was killed in action in Iraq on April 6, two years after he enlisted and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was deployed in January.

Prewitt said his son liked to ride his personal watercraft on Lake Logan Martin, where they owned a mobile home. "He loved the lake and he loved the outdoors," he said.

The Pentagon told Prewitt his son died when his convoy was ambushed.

"I just know that Kelley would really hope -- and I do, too -- that in the future, history will tell us that his death and the death of all these other soldiers is not in vain," Prewitt said.

"The Iraqi people ... will understand that our way of life and law and order and freedom is the way to live on this earth."

God speed, Pvt. Prewitt. May you rest in peace & may your family know you will live in forever in the hearts of free people as a true hero.

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Marines:

Cpl. Kemaphoom A. Chanawongse, 22, of Waterford, CT

Cpl. Jason David Mileo, 20 of Centreville, MD

Air Force:

Capt. Eric B. Das, 30, of Amarillo, TX

Army:

Cpl. John T. Rivero, 23, of Tampa, FL

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Army Staff Sgt. Terry Hemingway


http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/5626503.htm

Two brothers to return from Iraq - one dead, one alive
GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

WILLINGBORO, N.J. - Eva Hemingway-Shannon has hardly been away from the television since the war began in Iraq nearly a month ago. When she saw a Bradley fighting vehicle blown up on Thursday, she tried to distract herself from thoughts that her son was on it.

The next day, she learned Army Staff Sgt. Terry Hemingway, 39, had been aboard the vehicle when the car next to it exploded. He was killed.

"I'm proud that Terry was my son, and I'm also proud that my son gave his life to a worthy cause," Hemingway-Shannon said, recalling images of Iraqis last week after it seemed that Saddam Hussein's regime had been toppled. "When I saw the people shouting and jumping for joy, it made me feel good."

Hemingway's remains will be flown back to the United States in the next few days, along with his younger brother. Army Sgt. Gary Hemingway, 35, had been serving in the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq but was reassigned to escorting his brother's body.

He called home Saturday and Sunday. "He was trying to be brave," Hemingway-Shannon said.

Both brothers followed their stepfather, the Rev. Evine Shannon, into the Army. Shannon served for 26 years and was in both Vietnam and the first Gulf War.

"I told them, 'Her and I work every day.' They're not going to sit around the house. I told them, 'Get a job or go into the Army,'" Shannon said. "They went into the Army and made the best of it."

Terry Hemingway joined soon after he graduated from Trenton High School. He did one tour in the service, then took the state police test. But he decided he'd rather be in the military and re-enlisted.

A member of the C Company, First Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Benning, Ga., he served in Korea and Panama during his 19 years in the service. He was planning to retire from the service later this year.

His wife, Darlene, was his high school sweetheart. He also is survived by three children, Danisha, 7; Venetia, 9; and Terry Jr., 11. In school photos, the children flash the same life-of-the-party smile as their father.

Sgt. Hemingway's sister, Jackie Hicks, said the family was shocked when the couple announced they were expecting the first time.

"Before they had kids, they were single, living the life," said Hicks, 37. "They'd come home from the service on leave, they'd be hanging out. ... They wouldn't change a baby or pick one up."

But the man who was known for having a joke for every occasion became a devoted father, his family said.

He also had had a lot of luck, his stepfather said.

It was a night of hard partying that kept him from being aboard Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded over Scotland in 1988. The next year, he drove over the Bay Bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland about 15 minutes before an earthquake caused part of it to collapse.

His good fortune was not with him Thursday.

On Sunday, the flag in front of his mother and stepfather's rancher was at half-mast.

Hemingway-Shannon held a one-page letter from her son as she sat in the breakfast nook of her home, which had become a depot for friends and family with food and condolences, and reporters with questions.

Many lines in the Feb. 26 letter were pure Terry to her.

As she read them, she sometimes held off the tears and sometimes let them out.

"'Hey Mommy. How are you and Dad?' He always started off with, 'Mommy.' He always called me 'Mommy' unless he was mad at me," Hemingway-Shannon said.

His thanks for a package demonstrated the gratefulness she said her son always showed.

He bragged about his role as commander of two Bradleys.

He asked for information on how to reach his brother and for his sister to send him a CD he could play in one of the Bradleys.

The family is planning a funeral for Saturday. They asked Gov. James E. McGreevey to attend when he called Sunday to offer his condolences.

"The knowledge of service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation will hopefully provide comfort to the family during this difficult time," McGreevey said.

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Army Staff Sgt. Terry Hemingway

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Army Sgt. 1st Class John Winston Marshall


http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/special_reports/iraq/bee/story/6449264p-7401155c.html

Soldier's dedication gives family comfort
By Christina Jewett -- Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:11 a.m. PDT Sunday, April 13, 2003
John Winston Marshall was a soldier to his core.

He was dedicated. Certain. And on Saturday, it was the depth of his resolve that his 80-year-old mother, Odessa, spoke of when trying to explain the peace his family felt, even as they grieved his death during fighting in Baghdad last week.


From her home in Sacramento, she shared one of his final e-mails, written from Kuwait on Jan. 18 to a sister in Los Angeles:


"I know that everyone back home wants to know how I feel about what we are about to do. It's really not an issue with me. I am not a politician, or policy-maker, just an old soldier. I can't afford the luxury of being distracted by the 'politics, social issues, or administration's rationale.' I cannot have any doubt about the righteousness of this mission. Any doubt or hesitation on my part could get someone killed.


"Maybe one day soon, we'll sit down over a cup of coffee and I'll be able to talk and answer your questions. But for right now I am focused on doing what has to be done to ensure all my men return home safely. And that's exactly what I intend to do."


Sgt. 1st Class John W. Marshall was killed Tuesday at age 50, the Defense Department announced Saturday. He was the oldest American soldier to die so far in the war in Iraq. He was killed on a day when air and ground forces pummeled Baghdad and gained control of the city. He was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade during an Iraqi assault, according to Defense Department officials.


Married to Denise Marshall and a father of six, John Marshall served 30 years in the Army.


He lived with his family in Hinesville, Ga., near Fort Stewart, where he was based. His parents and four of his eight siblings live in Sacramento.


Saturday, family members gathered at the Pocket-area home of Marshall's parents, Joseph and Odessa. They came together to comfort one another and to celebrate his life.


"We knew Johnny, we knew when he died he was doing the thing he wanted to do," Odessa said. "We're happy because that's what he wanted to do."


Odessa and Joseph Marshall also served in the military, pioneering the way for African Americans in World War II. In 1943, Odessa sailed to Birmingham, England, part of the first and only battalion of African American women to serve overseas.


She had trained for the war as a medical technician at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. She was sent to sort mail with a unit of Women's Army Corps members, but went on to treat injured soldiers at a time when African American women in the military weren't considered fit to operate a switchboard, according to family friend Edna Brown, who served with her.


Joseph served as an Army quartermaster during World War II. John Marshall's brother, James, served in Vietnam. Still, Odessa said she didn't encourage Marshall to enter the Army. "My (service) didn't have a thing to do with his," she said. "He was a dedicated soldier by himself."


Marshall was the fourth of nine children, born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. He was a unique character, his mother said. "He didn't go in for sports, he loved to ride motorcycles," she said. "When computers came out he loved computers -- loved fixing computers."


His sister, Denise Marshall-Mills, 45, also lives in Sacramento. She said her brother enjoyed playing the flute in high school. He had an offbeat sense of humor. But always, she said, he was a military man. "He took that very, very seriously," she said.


Marshall served in the United States during the Vietnam War and traveled to Korea and Germany as part of his service, Odessa said. He fought in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.


"When he got with us, we were so happy to see him, we didn't talk much about the Army," Odessa said.


In the current conflict, Marshall led a platoon of 40 men assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart.


"They are infantry soldiers that come out of Bradley fighting vehicles, armed with M-16 alpha rifles," said Warrant Officer Roberto Amoroso, who heads the media center at Fort Stewart.


Tuesday, the day Marshall died, U.S. Forces poured bombs on Baghdad, while the 3rd Battalion soldiers raced across the Tigris River. More than 10,000 U.S. troops stormed Baghdad, crippling Saddam Hussein's Baath Party headquarters and attacking Republican Guard units.


Staff Sgt. Robert Anthony Stever, 36, a tank mechanic in Marshall's battalion, also died that day from enemy fire. He lived in Pendleton, Ore., and served 13 years in the military. He left behind a wife, Cyndi, and a 10-year-old daughter.


On Wednesday, Iraqi citizens cheered for members of the 3rd Infantry Division, heralding the end of 30 years of Baath Party control.


It was that day Army officials notified Odessa and Joseph of Marshall's death.


Marshall's sister, Denise, had no doubt Saturday he died honoring the way he lived.


"His life was the military -- and he made that ultimate sacrifice," she said.

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Army Sgt. 1st Class John Winston Marshall

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Marine Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss


http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2003/04/16/news/casper/07db0dc332cba0d21aef2595c3b8bf3b.txt

Casper Marine killed in action

By MATTHEW VAN DUSEN Star-Tribune staff writer




Early Saturday morning, Angela Reiss learned by phone from her daughter-in-law Tensley that U.S. Marine officials had identified the remains of her son, Sgt. Brendon Curtis Reiss, 23.

Capt. Thomas Sweatman and a Marine sergeant came to Angela Reiss' house in Mills early on Saturday afternoon to deliver the news in person. She recognized Sweatman's SUV, which she had noticed when the Marine visited the family 17 days ago to say Sgt. Reiss was missing in Iraq.

Angela's daughter Lindsey, also of Mills, said she wanted to believe the news of her brother's death was a hoax.

"They just said that they were really sorry," Lindsey said of the Marines.

Sweatman did not know many details of Brendon's death, though Angela said her daughter-in-law, who lives in Tennessee, had been told Reiss' personnel carrier had been struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, sometime between March 23 and 26. Some of Sgt. Reiss' companions, who were also previously considered missing, were identified among the dead in the vehicle.

Sweatman told the family the Marines may do a more extensive investigation later. He was not available for comment Saturday night.

After more than two anxiety-filled weeks of waiting for news, Angela said she was "at peace" with her son's death.

"He died early so he didn't see too much horror," she said from her home, as she filled vases with water for the many flowers she had received. "He's not going to have to experience the trauma of the war."

A few minutes later she looked over her daughter's shoulder at letters from Brendon, talking about how difficult Marine boot camp was.

Lindsey pulled up her pantleg to show the scar where childhood roughhousing with her brother had resulted in knee surgery.

She also remembered the time she stole some quarters from her mother and hid them in Brendon's socks, and he had gotten the blame.

Brendon was a great hunter, his mother said. He was also a great runner who held records in Hanna before moving to Casper and running on the Natrona County High School track team.

Brendon's father, Brian Reiss, who had not been able to sleep since he received the news on Friday night, was resting on Saturday, his wife, Carol Reiss, said.

"What is there to say. What a terrible tragedy," she said, "Brian is crushed."

Brian is a Vietnam Veteran who lives in Port Angeles, Wash. Since his divorce from Angela several years ago, his contact with Brendon has been sporadic.

Angela said Brendon was a loving son, brother and husband.

Donald Aultman, the grandfather of Tensley Reiss, said his granddaughter "is holding up quite well considering the pressure she's been under the last two weeks and two days."

Aultman said the burial will be at a Chattanooga, Tenn., military cemetery, though he does not yet know the date of the service. Brendon will receive full military honors.

Brendon also leaves behind a grandmother, Harriet Winchel, who lives with Angela.

In a postcard he sent Winchel while stationed in Japan in 1999, he drew an arrow pointing at the top of Mt. Fuji. Like many of his letters, the postcard showed his excitement at being a Marine, and his love of home.

"Dear Gramma," he wrote. "Sorry I forgot your b-day! Well this is where I am at. The circle is Camp Fuji. The arrow points to where we were at on the top, but the snow was not there! It was a really long walk!"

[Diddle E. Squat]

Marine Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss

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Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Edward Bohr


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/04/20/state1939EDT0057.DTL

Marine to be buried in Cedar Rapids, funeral set for hometown of Ossian

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) --

A Marine from Iowa, who family and friends say died doing what he loved, will be buried Wednesday in this northeast Iowa city.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Edward Bohr, 39, a native of Ossian, was killed April 10. He died from two gunshot wounds suffered in a seven-hour battle with pro-Saddam Hussein forces at the Imam Mosque northwest of Baghdad's city center.

Bohr was a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, Alpha Company of Camp Pendleton, Calif. He and his wife, Lori, 45, a Cedar Rapids native, lived in San Clemente, Calif.

Lori Bohr said her husband was a dedicated soldier and that he "felt there was something that needed to be taken care of" in Iraq.

Jeffrey Bohr began his military career 20 years ago in the Army, where he spent three or four years before joining the Marines. During his career he fought in Operation Desert Storm, helped settle turmoil in Panama and took part in campaigns in Somalia and Granada.

Family members said he had planned to retire in two years and put his computer skills to work in the civilian world.

Bohr's father, Edward Bohr, of Ossian, said many of those who worked with his son in the military described him as a Marine's Marine.

"He would back his troops up. They stood by him and he backed them up," he said. "I'm really proud of him. I'm sorry that he isn't going to be here anymore, but he's in a better place. I'm sure he is."

As the family finalized funeral arrangements for Jeffrey Bohr over the weekend, they braced for the departure of his younger brother to Iraq in May.

Army Sgt. Richard Bohr, 36, said he plans to visit the mosque where his brother was killed and place a cross on the site when he arrives in Iraq. The Ham Lake, Minn., resident has been in the Army nearly 20 years and is a member of Bravo Company 389 Combat Engineers.

Lori Bohr said she last talked to her husband via satellite phone about a month ago. She said they spoke just long enough for him to tell her about the weather, the sandstorms and trying to eat outside.

"He was in a good mood and he was happy to talk to me," she said.

The couple was to have celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary last Saturday. Lori Bohr said her husband's death has been difficult.

"I first was in shock for about the first two or three days," she said. "And shock keeps you in denial because the magnitude's so heavy. This really, really hurts."

Lori Bohr said her husband will be buried with a new wedding ring she bought for him before he died. He recently had lost his wedding ring and she had gotten a replacement.

The couple had no children, but Lori Bohr said they had planned to adopt her 13-year-old niece.

Wednesday's funeral will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

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Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Edward Bohr