Photo By Cpl. Daniel Blatter | Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1,...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, held a memorial ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Jan. 31, to honor Cpl. Jacob A. Tate, Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese, and Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik, all riflemen with 2/9 who were killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Tate was killed in action, Jan. 2, Giese was killed in action, Jan. 7, and Htaik was killed in action, Jan. 1. All three casualties were the results of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations.
More than 200 Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Division (Forward) attended the memorial to pay respect to their fallen brothers.
“The deaths of Sam, Jacob and Joe have most certainly brought heartache to their brothers here and to their families back home,” said Lt Col. James R. Fullwood, the commanding officer of 2/9. “The passing of these Marines have left empty chairs at the dinner tables where husbands and sons once sat, as well as gaping holes in our ranks which can never be filled.
“These three friends and brothers of ours can never be replaced and will be missed dearly. And while their deaths bring tremendous heartache, our love for these Marines means that our memories of them can not be lost.”
The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible verses and prayers honoring the fallen heroes.
Final Roll was called three times for Tate, Giese and Htaik, only to be answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.
Cpl. Jacob A. Tate was born on January 20, 1989. He joined the Marine Corps on July 5, 2007, to become an infantryman. His personal decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal.
“Cpl. Jacob Tate was the epitome of the selfless Marine leader who always put the welfare of his Marines far above that of himself,” said Fullwood. “He knew his profession and the Marines around him respected him for that and felt safe in his presence while on patrol. He was also a husband and a father to a son, Jax Allen Tate, who he tragically never saw before he died.”
Tate is survived by his wife Amy, his son, Jax, and his parents, James and Janice.
Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese was born on September 17, 1986. He joined the Marine Corps on July 23, 2008, to become an infantryman. His personal decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
“Lance Corporal Joe Giese was a known master of the SAW [squad assault weapon] and a leader who never lost his cool,” Fullwood said. “In the most difficult situations, Lance Cpl. Giese could always find some way to make everyone laugh. Joe was also a husband who talked constantly of his wife, Brittany, who he loved and cherished.”
Giese is survived by his wife, Brittany, his mother, Constance Wascovich, and his father, Larry Giese.
Lance Cpl. Maung P. Htaik was born on July 12, 1990. He joined the Marine Corps on Feb. 23, 2009, to become an infantryman. His personal decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
“Lance Cpl. Htaik joined the Marine Corps so that he might help the people in other troubled countries such as Afghanistan,” said Fullwood. “He stood out for his extraordinary faith in God, a faith that was made completely clear by his family at his funeral. Sam was also noted to have always volunteered to carry his squads extra weight, of which turned difficult patrols into painful ordeals. He was willing to do just that because of his concern for his fellow Marines.”
Htaik is survived by his mother, Flory Shwe, and his father, Hla Shwe.
As the ceremony came to an end, Capt. Chuck Anklam, the company commander for Echo Company, 2/9, stated, “These men knew the risks of this mission and deployment, and that nothing was certain. Each day, each patrol, and especially this mission to Sangin were void of certainty, but still they not only went, but charged into action head-on, with determination and grit.
“Why does a man run into the darkness of the unknown?” asked Anklam. “How did these men continue to march, fight, and give their utmost without knowing what lies around the next tree line or beneath the next step?”
For the moment, the next steps for the Marines of Echo Company, 2/9, are to remember their brothers who will not be returning home with them, and to ensure the sacrifices these Marines have made in Helmand province will never be forgotten.
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2011 06:37 |
| Story ID: | 64584 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,969 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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