Hundreds gathered at the base chapel Jan. 14, to honor the lives and sacrifices of two 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marines who died during 3/3’s recent Afghanistan deployment.
Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman, 23, of Jonesboro, La., and 1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming, 24, of Marietta, Ga., were both assigned to Kilo Company and died July 18 and Sept. 17, 2010, respectively, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
During the memorial ceremony, Marines close to Wrightsman and Fleming shared stories about the two and how their lives impacted those around them.
For Capt. Shon Belcher, the Kilo Company commander, it was difficult to speak about them both as each man was unique. He recalled Fleming as a caring and enthusiastic leader and remembered Wrightsman’s competitive nature, but in addition to an affinity for smiling, the two men shared leadership traits.
“Their enthusiasm was infectious,” Belcher said. “They loved what they did, and I’m not talking about their skills or professionalism, I’m talking about the way they cared for their men, their compassion for their brothers and commitment to their welfare.
The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey C. Holt, shared a message of gratitude from Afghanistan. Haji Abdul Manaf, the Nawa District governor, asked Holt to speak on his behalf.
America’s Battalion wasn’t alone in their sacrifice to Nawa, during the deployment nine Afghan policemen and two Afghan National Army soldiers died along with two Marine pilots, Lt. Col. Mario D. Carazo and Maj. James M. Weis, from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. James B. Laster, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division, presented the family of Wrightsman and the family of Fleming with each Marines final medal.
Fleming earned a Purple Heart Medal for his actions in Nawa and Wrightsman earned a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for giving his life in an attempt to save an Afghan policeman drowning in the Helmand River.
The brief ceremony afforded family, friends and fellow service members the opportunity to reflect on the lives lost.
For Kathy Webb, Wrightsman’s mother, her son’s loss was tragic, but as a former soldier herself, she said she is extremely proud of his service.
Cpl. Michael Barnhouse, Kilo Company. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
Battalion Memorial Service. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
Lance Cpl. Scott O’Neil, Kilo Company. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Holt (C) and Sgt. Maj. Andrew Cece (L). Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
Family and friends of Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman and 1st Lt. Scott J. Fleming. Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Holt (L) and Sgt. Maj. Andrew Cece (R). Marine Corps Base Hawaii. January 2011.
This website is dedicated to the Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment in the Global War on Terrorism.