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CAMP PENDLETON: Four Pendleton-based Marines killed in Iraq
By SARAH GORDON - Staff Writer | ∞
Four Camp Pendleton-based Marines have died in Iraq, the Marine Corps announced Thursday.
The four were in a Humvee in western Anbar province on Friday night when a roadside bomb exploded, according to published reports. They were members of the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, base spokeswoman Cpl. Priscilla Vitale said.
The dead were identified as Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova, 22, of McComb, Miss.; Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, of Norwalk; Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, 21, of Carroll, Ohio; and Sgt. Glen E. Martinez, 31, of Boulder, Colo.
Casanova was a field radio operator who joined the Marine Corps in December 2005, the release said. She earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Her mother, Paula Carruth, told the Mississippi Clarion Ledger that Casanova was a talented musician known for her kindness. Casanova's decision to join the Marines upset her family, and they had been anxious ever since she deployed Feb. 14.
"The way she grew up, I never dreamed the military would be something she wanted to do," Carruth told the Clarion Ledger. "I'm not going to lie to you; I tried to talk her out of it every day. But she had a strong will, and she said that's what she wanted."
Guzman, 21, of Norwalk, was an organizational automotive mechanic, the statement said. He joined the Marines in August 2004 and earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Attempts to locate Guzman's family were unsuccessful.
Kimple was a maintenance management specialist who joined the Marines in July 2004. His honors include the Navy Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Kimple was an avid reader who had been determined to join the military since high school, according to published reports. He is survived by a wife, three children and his parents.
A statement released by the family this week says that they are "... sad to say that James died but are relieved to say he did so doing what he loved to do ---- serving his family and country as one of the few, the proud, the Marines."
Martinez was an engineer equipment operator, the Camp Pendleton release said. He joined the Marines in June 2004 and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
His father, Ron Martinez, told the Boulder Daily Camera that his son, a high school sports star with degrees in engineering and mathematics, "baffled" his family by joining the Marines.
"Here he's got these two degrees. I asked him why," his father said. "He said, 'It's something I've got to do.' "
The four deaths bring the total number of North County-based Marines killed in Iraq to at least 349. At least 4,073 U.S. service members have died in the Iraq war, according to The Associated Press.
Contact Staff Writer Sarah Gordon at (760) 74-0-3517 or sgordon@nctimes.com
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Mom of A Marine wrote on May 8, 2008 11:49 AM:Godspeed and Semper Fi Marines. Thank you for your sacrafice and may God be with your families to help them be strong. We will never forget!
and girls wrote on May 8, 2008 2:25 PM:You will notice that one of the Marines killed was a woman. Many women are now on the front lines fighting along with the men. Please come home soon, already too many men and women have died. Thank you for your service.
Karen wrote on May 8, 2008 3:20 PM:Please end the war. Come home soon, safely, healthy. God Bless All of You!
Sleeping but awake wrote on May 8, 2008 3:54 PM:This war continues to waste our troops lives and provide nothing but grief for their families. Bring the troops home now as nothing is to be gained from all of this.
Matilda wrote on May 8, 2008 7:12 PM:How sad... I will pray for the repose of all these souls. May they rest in peace. God Bless!
ToSleepingbutawake wrote on May 8, 2008 10:22 PM:What we are doing over here is NOT a waste. So disrespectful to those that have died and those that continue to serve to say it's a waste. Pathetic.
Tops Wife wrote on May 8, 2008 10:50 PM:To ToSleepingbutawake -
AMEN!
Semper Fi Marines!
My heart and prayers to the familys...
JustAMom wrote on May 9, 2008 2:53 AM:God Bless and Semper Fi Marines. May God embrace you, your families and friends in the difficult days ahead.
Joe wrote on May 9, 2008 5:20 AM:When you are walking down the street of any North County city and see a Marine, give them your thanks.
GunnyRet wrote on May 9, 2008 8:28 AM:To all who say that we are wasting our troops lives, this is what we signed up for, and although the death of a service man or woman is sad (very sad) WE SIGN A CONTRACT!!! My wife and daughter DO NOT!!! If you people think that by leaving Iraq that this will end, YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN!!! The terrorist will come to this country (and though you feel safe we are not). The hate the terrorist have for us will bring them here. By us being in their country they will stay there and fight THE MILITARY over in their back yard, and I won't have to worry about the civilians that don't sign contracts to fight!!!! So please know that we in the military know what we sign up for, and those Marines will live FOREVER in the hearts of all their brother and sisters they will never be forgotten!!!
Semper Fi
GunnyRet wrote on May 9, 2008 8:34 AM:To all who say that we are wasting our troops lives, this is what we signed up for, and although the death of a service man or woman is sad (very sad) WE SIGN A CONTRACT!!! My wife and daughter DO NOT!!! If you people think that by leaving Iraq that this will end, YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN!!! The terrorist will come to this country (and though you feel safe we are not). The hate the terrorist have for us will bring them here. By us being in their country they will stay there and fight THE MILITARY over in their back yard, and I won't have to worry about the civilians that don't sign contracts to fight!!!! So please know that we in the military know what we sign up for, and those Marines will live FOREVER in the hearts of all their brother and sisters they will never be forgotten!!!
Semper Fi
Harry USMC wrote on May 9, 2008 9:37 AM:God Bless our troops.
The Marines are all volunters,doing what they want to do for a just cause.
They want to fight terrorism where it starts,not in the U.S.A..Do you?
TO pull the troops out now would not only dishonor those who have fought there and given so much,but allow these fanatics to follow us home and go world wide to kill all infidels,(US).
Harry wrote on May 9, 2008 9:54 AM:
Yes it is sad to lose our troops in combat.My heart goes out to them and their families.
Do not be discouraged and talk the cheap talk.
This is our war. Yes,war. As much as WW2
was our war.
Support our troops and thank them at every opportunity.They are the leaders oof our future Gov't.
Thank God
Harry
A former Marine Sgt.
Korea, 51/52 B-1-1-1
Casual Observer wrote on May 9, 2008 10:24 AM:Probably more than half of the country does not know that there is a war and could care less and have no respect for the military.
As my relatives in Colorado said on 9-11 -"that was in NY City- and has nothing to do with us in Colorado"! The tiny numbers who are rabid military enthisiasts and sport signs that say support the troops and have good intentions, but the signs on cars and flags they fly are probably manufactured in China! In our primary election right wing radio talk jocks are making a mockery of our election process by telling Republicans to vote for a Democratic candidate to cause chaos in the democratic party. American military has fought and died so we can have free and fair elections and the public plays games in the voting booth. Time and history will justify our present war. Rememger the domino theory?
Mom of Marines wrote on May 9, 2008 1:12 PM:My heart goes out to all the men and women serving everywhere. Thank you for your service and we pray for you and your families always. Stay Safe. Come home soon.
Brother_in_Arms wrote on May 11, 2008 8:37 AM:I would like to express my condolences.
Thoughs four Marines that died replaced me in Iraq. It always hurts to hear about loseing your brothers and sisters who defend our country but this hit alot closer to home for me. God please be with the familys of our fallen troops.
Marine Dad wrote on May 11, 2008 10:11 PM:God have Mercy on thier souls and may they rest in peace. Pray for all our service personnel. Pay for our County. My son, like his dad joined the Marines. He's in Okinawa now, and recently told us he is going to Iraq soon. He's has the warrior spirit and will be transporting others with that same spirit. He's doing what most young American's won't do. I Honor my son and those he will be with. Iraq and Afganistan are just battle fields of a a global war. So wake up people. Thier lives and thier deaths are real...thier sacrifice is real. Bring them home now? You who say that dishonor them.
Mom of A Marine wrote on May 11, 2008 10:28 PM:I was going to comment to "Sleeping but Awake'...but I see that is taken care of! Thank you. That name should be changed to just "SLEEPING." To "GunnyRet"...Thank YOU! And what you said was worth reading twice, although I'm sure that was an accident...turns out for the better! As to "Casual Observer"...yes, more than half the country doesn't know what is going on and need to run to the doctor for a Rectal Headectomy!! Some people need to wake up and THANK GOD there are a Minority of Brave Wonderful People (MARINES) willing to put their lives in grave danger so they can sit here safely! God Bless our Military and Welcome these fine Marines to heaven!! They are our Camoflauge Angels!!
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