thedrifter
05-06-06, 12:12 PM
Service held for Marine
• Waukegan native: Killed in action April 29
By Dan Moran
Staff Writer
Funeral services were conducted this week at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for Marine Sgt. Edward Davis III, a Waukegan native and former Antioch resident who was killed in action April 29 in Iraq.
Davis, 31, died of injuries sustained when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations in Al Anbar Province. Also killed in the attack were fellow Camp Pendleton Marines Sgt Lea R. Mills, 21, of Brooksville, Fla., and Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy, 25, of Cochranville, Pa.
Prior to the stateside funeral, Davis and his two fallen comrades were honored April 30 with a memorial service at Haditha, Iraq, according to a statement issued Friday by the Marine Corps.
"Each one of them had something different to offer the company," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Duncan. "Davis we called 'Manimal' because he was always lifting weights. Mills could fix practically anything, and Hardy was a good leader who knew his job well.
"
The statement added that each man was eulogized at the Iraq service by Marines who served with them. A family member said earlier this week that among those speaking for Davis was his cousin, Andy Saam, who is also serving with the Marines in Iraq.
According to the Marine Corps statement, Duncan said at the service that Davis was to be promoted to staff sergeant on May 1, and the honor was granted to him posthumously.
Davis, a 1993 graduate of Warren Township High School, is survived by his wife, Preina, daughters Priscilla, 10, and Alyssa, 3, and 2-year-old son Edward Davis IV. He is also survived by his parents, Edward Davis Jr. of Kenosha and former Antioch resident Nancy Komes of Arizona, as well as a stepmother, two brothers and three sisters.
During the Marine Corps memorial service in Iraq, Navy Lt. Paul Tremblay reportedly led the singing of the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save, which includes the following lyrics:
"Eternal Father strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
"Eternal Father grant we pray,
To all Marines both night and day,
The courage honor strength and skill,
Their land to serve the law fulfill,
Be thou the shield forevermore,
From every peril to the Corps."
05/06/06
Ellie
• Waukegan native: Killed in action April 29
By Dan Moran
Staff Writer
Funeral services were conducted this week at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for Marine Sgt. Edward Davis III, a Waukegan native and former Antioch resident who was killed in action April 29 in Iraq.
Davis, 31, died of injuries sustained when the vehicle he was riding in struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations in Al Anbar Province. Also killed in the attack were fellow Camp Pendleton Marines Sgt Lea R. Mills, 21, of Brooksville, Fla., and Cpl. Brandon M. Hardy, 25, of Cochranville, Pa.
Prior to the stateside funeral, Davis and his two fallen comrades were honored April 30 with a memorial service at Haditha, Iraq, according to a statement issued Friday by the Marine Corps.
"Each one of them had something different to offer the company," said Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Duncan. "Davis we called 'Manimal' because he was always lifting weights. Mills could fix practically anything, and Hardy was a good leader who knew his job well.
"
The statement added that each man was eulogized at the Iraq service by Marines who served with them. A family member said earlier this week that among those speaking for Davis was his cousin, Andy Saam, who is also serving with the Marines in Iraq.
According to the Marine Corps statement, Duncan said at the service that Davis was to be promoted to staff sergeant on May 1, and the honor was granted to him posthumously.
Davis, a 1993 graduate of Warren Township High School, is survived by his wife, Preina, daughters Priscilla, 10, and Alyssa, 3, and 2-year-old son Edward Davis IV. He is also survived by his parents, Edward Davis Jr. of Kenosha and former Antioch resident Nancy Komes of Arizona, as well as a stepmother, two brothers and three sisters.
During the Marine Corps memorial service in Iraq, Navy Lt. Paul Tremblay reportedly led the singing of the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save, which includes the following lyrics:
"Eternal Father strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep,
O hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the sea.
"Eternal Father grant we pray,
To all Marines both night and day,
The courage honor strength and skill,
Their land to serve the law fulfill,
Be thou the shield forevermore,
From every peril to the Corps."
05/06/06
Ellie