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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.

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!"

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.

Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/15/international/worldspecial/15TEJE.html?ex=1051070400&en=ccffd9f881741c17&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Neighborhood of Dominicans Grieves Loss of Its 'Hero'
By THOMAS J. LUECK

Three days after Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan Tejeda joined the nation's list of Iraq war deaths, an improvised memorial grew yesterday in front of the graffiti-strewn facade of the Washington Heights building where he was raised.

In what has long been one of Manhattan's tougher neighborhoods, it was a scene normally associated with homicide: bouquets of dyed carnations piled amid empty champagne bottles.

But as a memorial to Sergeant Tejeda, a 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, it reflected the pride and grief felt across the nation for fallen soldiers, and the anguish of immigrants fighting for their adopted home.

"This is like a knife in my throat," said Angel Tejeda, 25, the sergeant's brother. "But I am very proud of him. He did a lot for this country — they opened the door for us, so that we would have a better life."

Officials said that Sergeant Tejeda, an eight-year veteran of the Marines, was killed on Friday during a firefight with Iraqi loyalists. Other details remained unclear yesterday.

"All I know is he was killed in northeast Baghdad, but what he was doing there, I don't know," said another of the sergeant's brothers, Andre Tejeda.

"He loved being a marine, he loved telling people what to do, he loved yelling at people," said Andre, who smiled as he recalled an encounter his brother had on the street.

"One day when he was on leave, he was in front of the building, and a new Marine recruit walked by," Andre said. "The recruit wasn't wearing a hat, and my brother tore into him. He screamed at that guy forever."

Sergeant Tejeda joined the Marines only weeks after graduating from the Fashion Industries High School in Manhattan. He was based at Camp Pendleton in California, and had begun putting down roots on the West Coast while remaining close to his family in Washington Heights.

He had visited home in December, and joined other family members on a trip to the Dominican Republic for Christmas.

He had also forged something of a beachhead of Dominican culture in Southern California by investing in a nightclub and forming a merengue band in Chula Vista. "There aren't that many Dominicans where he is in California," Andre said.

One thing that Sergeant Tejeda had sought for years and not yet obtained was United States citizenship, something that several people in Washington Heights said yesterday was overdue because of his long military service.

"We have staff working on it," said Jim Capel, the New York chief of staff to Representative Charles Rangel, whose Congressional district includes Washington Heights. Mr. Capel said that Mr. Rangel would seek citizenship for the sergeant posthumously if his family desired it, but that so far no discussions with the family had taken place.

Yesterday, at the heart of one of New York's largest Dominican enclaves, Sergeant Tejeda's legacy as a fighter for the United States seemed firmly established.

A photograph of him in full-dress uniform hung on a poster behind the glass door to his building. Above it, someone wrote, "Our Hero Riayan A. Tejeda."

Marine Corporal Jesus A. Gonzalez

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=1232726&nav=9qrxFEhS

Fallen Marine Remembered

We're learning more about a Twentynine Palms marine who died fighting in Iraq on Saturday. Jesus Gonzalez was from Indio and tonight, the neighborhood he grew up in is in shock.

Corporal Jesus Gonzalez was just 22 years old when he was killed in battle. People who knew him describe a young man any of us would have wanted to know.

They say the military breeds conformity. Of course everyone in uniform has their own story.
Corporal Jesus Gonzalez' story -- much of it anyway -- was written here in Indio, and there are still many here who say they know that story well.

“He was just always well mannered and respected his elders.”

Marisa Olmeda says Gonzalez moved in next door to her about ten years ago, She talks about him growing up, marrying early on, caring for a little baby girl, becoming passionate about Mexican and Indian heritage.

She says it caught her off guard to learn Gonzalez was joining the military, but says it was welcome news nonetheless.

A lot of people in this small Indio community describe it as the kind of neighborhood where everybody knows everybody and indeed a lot of people we talked to say they knew Jesus. And that's why, on Saturday, when they saw the marines pull up to this curb and knock on that front door they say they knew exactly what was going on, and they say their hearts just sank.

“He gave up his life for our country and that puts a personal touch there because he was so nice and now he's gone.”

Gonzalez was part of the 1st tank battalion, 1st marine division at Twentynine Palms, one of several units that moved into Baghdad days ago and have been there since. Military officials say he was killed April 12 manning a checkpoint. We're told Gonzalez' killer walked up to him with a small gun and shot him point blank in the chest.

A vigil for Jesus Gonzalez and everyone in the military is planned for Friday night in the Indio Civic Center at 5:30 in the evening.

Marine Private First Class Tamario D. Burkett

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--war-marinekilled0416apr16,0,4101377.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

Marine killed in Iraq memorialized

By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Tamario Burkett fulfilled a childhood fantasy of becoming a superhero when he became a Marine and completed his mission when he died for his country in Iraq, mourners were told Wednesday at a memorial service in his honor.

"Your son will be laid to rest," the Rev. Darius Pridgen told Burkett's parents, "but your superhero will never die."

Raymond and Brenda Wilson learned of their 21-year-old son's death from the Defense Department last week. He and several other members of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., had been missing since a battle near the southern Iraq city of Nasiriyah in the early days of the war.

"Here is a young man who made his mark in history," the Rev. Robert Baines told about 200 people, including active and retired servicemen and women, school officials and students and political leaders, who gathered at True Bethel Baptist Church.

To Burkett's parents, Baines said, "Thank you for placing such a great sacrifice on the altar of freedom."

As a child, Burkett pretended to be a superhero and he and a young cousin made their own superhero comic book. When he became a Marine, Burkett donned a second identity _ the way newspaper reporter Clark Kent became Superman, or Bruce Wayne became Batman, Pridgen said.

"Tamario had to stop being a son, a brother, a friend to fulfill his mission," Pridgen said.

Eight Marines escorted Burkett's parents and his younger brothers and sisters in and out of the church and Marines presented Brenda Wilson with a crisply folded American flag. Pictures of a serious looking Burkett in his dress uniform were projected on large screens.

"Tamario Burkett paid the ultimate sacrifice for this community, this state and this nation," state Sen. Byron Brown said. "He is a hero and we all owe him our eternal gratitude." Brown said the Senate would honor Burkett with a resolution April 28.

U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., in a letter, said Burkett's character "represents the best of our nation."

"I hope that you and your family can find some small amount of comfort in the knowledge that he acted with courage, strength and resolve," she wrote in the letter read at the service.

Burkett will be buried in Florida, where he was born. Raymond and Brenda Wilson were high school sweethearts at the time and married later. At his birth, he was given his mother's maiden name, Burkett.

"Fly Tamario, fly Tamario. Grab hold," Pridgen said. "You have completed your mission. Rest. Your work on earth is done."