Cpl. Phillip D. McGeath, 25, Glendale, Ariz.., died Jan. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Philip is a 2005 graduate of Cooper High School. He was supposed to come home from Afghanistan in just two weeks.
To be updated…
Born: July 12, 1991 in Riverside, California
Died: January 15, 2012 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho died Jan 15 conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Ken graduated Parma High School in 2010 where he was well liked and admired by his classmates. Kenny joined the Marine Corps Aug. 30, 2010. He arrived on Okinawa May 27, 2010 and deployed to Afghanistan Nov. 13, 2011 serveing as a water support technician. His awards include, the NATO-International Security Assistance Force Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho
To be updated…
Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Pahrump, NV., died Jan 15 conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Jon-Luke began serving in the Marine Corps on Feb. 25, 2008. This was his first combat deployment. He also deployed once with a Marine expeditionary unit. His personal awards include, the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal for International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan.
To be updated…
Born: April 18, 1979 in San Joaquin County, California
Died: December 12, 2011 in Wilmington, North Carolina
Gunnery Sgt. George L. Figone Jr of Hampstead, North Carolina, formerly of Stockton, California graduated in 1997 from Linden High School. Following graduation George entered the United States Marine Corps and became an infantry rifleman after boot camp. In June of 1998, he passed the reconnaissance indoctrination course and the basic reconnaissance course. He was deployed to Iraq twice and to Afghanistan. While on deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2003, he was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant. In 2011, George was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. His personal awards include a Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V Device, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, and four Good Conduct Medals. He served as a rifleman with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. He passed away suddenly at the Hanover Medical Center in North Carolina. He leaves behind his four brothers, Christopher Piro, Eric, Josh and Justin Figone; his three sisters, Mariah and Sierra Looney, and Brittany Figone; his loving Grandmother Margaret C. Rore; his loving aunts and uncles Mike and Debbra Figone, Ray Figone, John Titta, Yolanda and Troy Combs, Jim and Laura Rore, and Anne and Philip Martin; his nephew Caleb Figone. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers Raymond Figone Sr. and Dr. Walter J. Rore, and by his grandmother Doris Figone.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 10011
Maj. Samuel M. Griffith, 36, of Virginia Beach, Va., died Dec. 14 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Marine Forces Reserve, West Palm Beach, Fla. He attended William G. Enloe High School. class of 1993, before attending Pennsylvania State University, class of 1997. Sam entered the military through the Naval ROTC at Penn State. Maj Griffith was serving his third tour of duty, having already served a previous tour to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
To be updated…
Lance Cpl. Christopher P. J. Levy, 21, of Ramseur, N.C., died Dec. 10 of wounds sustained Dec. 7 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Best known as Jacob to those who knew him, he is a 2009 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School. He was very proud of his American heritage within the Lumbee Tribe of American Indians.
Burial is Gilmore Memorial Park in Julian, North Carolina
To be updated…
Born: July 8, 1983
Died: November 30, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Vincent J. Bell of Detroit, Michigan died at age 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He joined the service in 2001 after graduating from Crockett Technical High School. He was serving his second combat deployment. He had previously served in Iraq. Among his awards are, the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star device, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with two gold star devices, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze star devices.
Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia – Sec 60 Site 9850
To be updated…
Born: March 20. 1990
Died: November 26, 2011 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Cpl. Adam J. Buyes, 21, of Salem, Ore., died Nov 26 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Adam attended Douglas McKay High School, graduating in 2008. While a student, he was a member of the bowling team, track and field team and football team. Serving as a field radio operator, Adam joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 12, 2009. He arrived on Okinawa Sept. 10, 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in May. His service awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Korean Defense Service Medal. He died at age 21 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He leaves his parents, Carla and Michael Buyes, his sister, Rachel Buyes, three brothers, Anthony, Joshua and Tyler Buyes.
Restlawn Memory Gardens
To be updated…
Cpl. Zachary C. Reiff, 22, of Preston, Iowa, died Nov. 21 of wounds suffered Nov. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Zach graduated in 2007 from Preston High School in a class of 34 seniors. While there he played football, wrestled and ran track. He was currently serving his second tour to Afghanistan since enlisting in the Marine Corps Dec. 9, 2008. His personal service awards include, the Purple Heart with gold star device, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star device.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Preston, Iowa with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.
To be updated…
Lance Cpl. Joshua D. Corral, 19, of Danville, Calif., died Nov. 18 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif. Chachi attended San Ramon High School, graduating in 2010. He played freshman football at the high school. He began serving in the Marine Corps, July 19, 2010. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. He served as a machine gunner. His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30 at the East Bay Fellowship Church at 2615 Camino Tassajara in Danville at 12:30 p.m. A reception is tentatively scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the San Ramon Valley High School gymnasium.
To be updated…
