Born: August 28, 1980
Died: April 13, 2004 in Al Anbar, Iraq
Cpl. Kevin T. Kolm, of Hicksville, New York is a 1998 graduate of Hicksville High School where he was an enthusiastic and energetic student. Growing up, he played in local youth sports leagues and was a member of the Hicksville PAL lacrosse program. Kevin worked as a carpenter and attended classes at Nassau Community College before joining the Marines. His enlistment made him a third generation Marine, his grandfather served in World War II and his father fought in Vietnam. Kevin was serving in the First Marine Expeditionary Force, having volunteered for a transfer from the Third Assault Amphibian Battalion’s Bravo Company to Alpha Company because he knew Alpha was bound for Iraq. He was the crew chief of an amphibious assault vehicle who volunteered his vehicle for an assault on an insurgent stronghold. Cpl. Kolm, who was well-liked by all who served with him and often gave nicknames like “Jungle Jam” and “Shaky Jake” to his fellow Marines, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat. He had been in Iraq since March 20 2004. He leaves his parents, Jackie and Thomas Kolm and his sister, Christine. He was killed at age 23 by hostile fire in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Burial is at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York – Sec R Site 2865H
Born: August 27, 1982
Died: October 15, 2004 in Iskanderiyah, Iraq
Lance Cpl. Brian K. Schramm of Rochester, New York is a 2001 graduate of Greece Olympia High School. At a young age, Brian expressed an interest that developed into a full fledged dream to become a Marine. His longterm goal was to work in law enforcement. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Corps. He was currently serving his second deployment to Iraq, having already served there the previous year for a five month tour. Brian had been in Iraq since June of 2004. In his leisure, he enjoyed a variety of sports and games, soccer, hiking, camping, and paintball among other adventures activities. He leaves his parents, Keith and Mary Ellen Schramm, a sister, Jennifer and two brothers, Kyle and Michael. He was killed at age 22 by enemy action in Babil province, Iraq. The Schramm family attended Lakeshore Community Church.
Marines
2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 8628
Born: August 26, 1986 in Central City, Nebraska
Died: June 9, 2006 in Al Anbar, Iraq
Lance Cpl. Brent B. Zoucha of Merrick, Nebraska graduated from High Plains Community High School in 2005. Throughout high school he was a local hero because of his success as an athlete, excelling in basketball and track. At 6′ 4″, he led the High Plains basketball team to a 17-5 record his senior year when he averaged 13.6 points per game and 10.7 rebounds. He was selected to play in the Columbus Telegram/Central Community College All Star basketball game in 2005. He was also an accomplished track and field star helping High Plains to a third place showing in Class D in 2005 by taking second in both the high jump and the 400 meter relay. In 2004, he tied for third in the high jump and was second in the 400 meter relay. In addition to his love for basketball and track, he also enjoyed fishing and hunting. The all American boy was respectful and polite. Brent started working at Pollard Oil in Clarks when he was 14 throughout his high school years. He also worked for Carl Shively. He loved cars, his favorite being a Viper. He also enjoyed his animals, especially his white chicken, Cora. Brent entered the United States Marines Corps on June 12, 2005. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He was the son of Benedict Conrad and Rita Anne Zoucha. His brother, Dyrek, was serving in the same unit in Iraq, and was not hurt in the explosion. He also has a sister, Sherri. He was died at age 19 of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.
Marines
1st Battalion
7th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Twentynine Palms, California
Burial is at Calvary Cemetery in Clarks, Nebraska
Born: August 31, 1977 in Columbia, South Carolina
Died: August 26, 2006 in Habbaniyah, Iraq
Cpl. David G. Weimortz of Irmo, South Carolina graduated as a golf standout from Dutch Fork High School and then from the University of South Carolina, where he majored in history. Growing up, he played many sports, including basketball and golf. He stood a solid 6′ 6″, and 225 pounds with a sense of humor and a generous nature. After college, he worked for a publisher in Raleigh, for a car dealer in Charleston, and modeled products at NASCAR races before enlisting. He joined the Marines in March of 2003 and graduated from boot camp at Parris Island. David was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina but kept a room at his sister’s house in Columbia. Before leaving for Iraq in mid July of 2006, he visited family and friends, including playing a round of golf with his father. In June 2005, he participated in Operation Sword that aimed to drive out insurgent fighters in Hit, Iraq, located along the Euphrates River in the Al Anbar province. A story published by Infoline Marine, an online service of Marine Corps public affairs, quoted David as saying the troops also tried to connect with the local citizens and show they were liberators, not conquerors. The publication featured a photo of David exchanging a handshake with a local child outside Camp Ripper in Iraq. His Awards and Decorations include, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He leaves his mother, Fran A. Fellers, his father, Joseph T. Weimortz and a sister, Kelly. David died at age 28 from injuries sustained while conducting combat operations in Habbaniyah, Iraq. A road he knew well, Old Tamah, in front of his old high school in Midlands, South Carolina was renamed his honor.
Marines
3rd Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at a Private Family Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina
Born: August 26, 1986 in Harris County, Texas
Died: October 4, 2006 in Rawah, Iraq
Cpl. Benjamin S. Rosales of Houston, Texas is the son of immigrants. Growing up, he saw what the country offered his family, the opportunities in life, and wanted to give something back. He loved the United States, what it stood for. He attended Katy’s Mayde Creek High School and by the time he was in the 11th grade, he had made up his mind to enlist in the Marine Corps. He was passionate about the Marines and wanted to join right away, at age seventeen. His mother was completely against it. But Ben reasoned with her that he would sign up anyway as soon as he turned eighteen. He was quiet and polite, mature, respectful and seemed ten years older than he was. Benjamin was a standout student and backyard basketball player. He dreamed of becoming a plastic surgeon someday. He returned to Houston to marry his fiancee, Angela Chow on August 7 2006. Ben proudly wore his uniform during the ceremony. He leaves his wife, Angela Rosales, his mother and stepfather, Maria Salgado and Ali Daher, his brothers, Edgar and Ely Salgado and Abraham Daher. He is also the son of, Benjamin Garcia Rosales. He was killed at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Rawah, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Edward M. Garvin.
Marines
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Sealy City Cemetery in Sealy, Texas
Born: August 26, 1984
Died: September 3, 2005 in Camp Blessing, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Nass of Franklin, Wisconsin attended Franklin High School before joining the United States Marine Corps in January of 2003. He is remembered as a quiet, courteous and respectful student while he was at the school. He really thrived in the Marines, and was truly happy about his decision. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal. Ryan leaves his wife among others. He died at age 21 of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Camp Blessing, Afghanistan.
Marines
2nd Battalion
3rd Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Burial is at Plum Lake Cemetery in Sayner, Wisconsin
Born: August 25, 1985
Died: June 14, 2006 in Hadithah, Iraq
Cpl. Michael A. Estrella of Hemet, California is a 2003 graduate of Hemet High School where he spent two years in the Reserves Oifficer’s Training Corps program as a flight commander in charge of 30 cadets. His job was to kelp other cadets learn and develop leadership qualities. The eldest of six was well-liked and well-respected by his peers and the staff at school. His great-grandfather, Victor Gonzalez Sr., had served in the United States Army during World War II, and Michael also wanted to serve his country. He leaves his parents, Maria and Francisco, five brothers and sisters, including, Francisco, Jessica, Sasha. His Awards and Decorations include, the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He died at age 20 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Battalion
3rd Marine Regiment
3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Burial is at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California – Sec 27 Site 34
Born: August 25, 1982
Died: April 30, 2004 in Anbar, Iraq
Cpl. Scott M. Vincent of Bokoshe, Oklahoma attended Bokoshe High School and joined the Marines in July of 2000, two months after his high school graduation. He was destined to be a United States Marine; his chosen motto for the high school yearbook was Semper Fi. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, his unit was shipped to Afghanistan to help secure Kandahar. His comrades spoke of his bravery and leadership in several enemy encounters. He loved his country, he loved his family and he loved God. His passions were for NASCAR, University of Oklahoma athletics and hunting, the latter of which he displayed on his camouflaged sleeves. He was in his element, running around with a rifle with a bunch of guys and he was proud to be a Marine. Though he was scheduled to be discharged, Scott volunteered for another tour in Iraq. He was killed at age 21 in Anbar province, Iraq. He leaves his parents, Royce and Judy Vincent, to sisters, Kimberly and Alisha. His family accepted the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor on his behalf.
Marines
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Old Bokoshe Memorial Gardens in Bokoshe, Oklahoma
Born: August 25, 1982 in Jefferson City, Missouri
Died: April 14, 2006 in Iraq
Lance Cpl. Darin T. Settle, 23, of Henley, Missouri is a 2001 graduate of Cole County High School in Eugene, Missouri. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 2003 completing his basic training in San Diego, California. Darin was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq with the United States Marine Corp with the Combat Logistics Regiment. He is the son of Jim and Arlene Settle. He also leaves his son, Wesley, a sister, Gwen, his fiancé, Angela Moad. He died at age 23 from a non-hostile motor vehicle accident in Anbar province, Iraq.
Marines
Combat Logistics Regiment 2
2nd Marine Logistics Group
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Burial is at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Brazito, Missouri
Born: August 25, 1982
Died: July 5, 2004 in Al Anbar, Iraq
Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns of Mountain Grove, Missouri attended Mountain Grove High School after he moved there while a junior in high school. And while he didn’t live in the small town long, he made a big impression on the people who knew him. He dreamed of joining the Marines. So on August 28 2001 he enlisted and after his initial training in San Diego was assigned to Twentynine Palms in February of 2002. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on Dec. 1, 2003, and was deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February. He was a great boy who became a great man. Dallas loved to listen to music; he enjoyed his car, fishing and physical fitness. His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Medal, the Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon, and the Purple Heart. Dallas died at age 21 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
Marines
3rd Battalion
7th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Twentynine Palms, California
Burial is at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Springfield in Springfield, Missouri – Sec G Row 07 Site 0360