Security Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), out of Camp Pendleton, CA
He was a K-9 dog handler killed by a suicide-bomb attack on an Iraqi police recruitment center in Ramadi, Iraq. When the bomb exploded, he shielded two fellow Marines and his bomb-sniffing dog, Bruno, saving all three. He had served a tour in Afghanistan and was on his second tour in Iraq. He was the first military K-9 handler to die in combat since the Vietnam War. Among his military awards and decorations were the Bronze Star Medal with Valor; and Purple Heart.
He was survived by his mother; his father and step-mother; two brothers; and five step-siblings.
Interment on January 18, 2006.
Security Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), out of Camp Pendleton, CA
He was a K-9 dog handler killed by a suicide-bomb attack on an Iraqi police recruitment center in Ramadi, Iraq. When the bomb exploded, he shielded two fellow Marines and his bomb-sniffing dog, Bruno, saving all three. He had served a tour in Afghanistan and was on his second tour in Iraq. He was the first military K-9 handler to die in combat since the Vietnam War. Among his military awards and decorations were the Bronze Star Medal with Valor; and Purple Heart.
He was survived by his mother; his father and step-mother; two brothers; and five step-siblings.
Interment on January 18, 2006.