thedrifter
11-28-06, 11:26 AM
NBC 17
Family Says Texas Marine Believed In Iraq Mission
UPDATED: 8:29 am EST November 28, 2006
AUSTIN -- Family members remembered a Marine from Texas killed in Iraq as a hero who surprised his family when he decided to join the military two years ago.
Cpl. Michael C. Ledsome, 24, of Austin was killed Saturday during combat operations in Al Anbar province, the Department of Defense announced Monday. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., the Pentagon said.
He was one of two Marines who died that day in the province, the military said. The other was Lance Cpl. Jeromy D. West, 20, of Aguanga, Calif.
Ledsome hadn't mentioned his thoughts of joining the military before he told his family during a Christmas visit of his plan to enlist, said his stepfather Kevin Eoff.
Ledsome joined with his younger brother, 21-year-old Brad Ledsome, and the two went to boot camp and graduated together, Eoff said. Brad Ledsome is a corporal stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Eoff said.
Tammy Eoff, the Ledsomes' mother, said Michael Ledsome "was very much a hero."
"Everybody he met, they all love him so much," she said, speaking from Early, near Brownwood.
Kevin Eoff said Ledsome was an athletic teenager who loved to golf during his childhood in Brownwood, about 100 miles northwest of Austin.
He graduated from Brownwood High School in 2000 and later moved to Austin, where he ran a pro shop at a golf course.
Ledsome leaves behind a wife, Megan, and their 2-year-old son, Caleub. Eoff said Ledsome always wanted to be near his son, even though he spent much of his time away in the military.
Eoff said it was clear that Ledsome believed in what he was doing in Iraq.
"He just thought it was the right thing to do," Eoff said. "We're proud of him."
Ellie
Family Says Texas Marine Believed In Iraq Mission
UPDATED: 8:29 am EST November 28, 2006
AUSTIN -- Family members remembered a Marine from Texas killed in Iraq as a hero who surprised his family when he decided to join the military two years ago.
Cpl. Michael C. Ledsome, 24, of Austin was killed Saturday during combat operations in Al Anbar province, the Department of Defense announced Monday. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., the Pentagon said.
He was one of two Marines who died that day in the province, the military said. The other was Lance Cpl. Jeromy D. West, 20, of Aguanga, Calif.
Ledsome hadn't mentioned his thoughts of joining the military before he told his family during a Christmas visit of his plan to enlist, said his stepfather Kevin Eoff.
Ledsome joined with his younger brother, 21-year-old Brad Ledsome, and the two went to boot camp and graduated together, Eoff said. Brad Ledsome is a corporal stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Eoff said.
Tammy Eoff, the Ledsomes' mother, said Michael Ledsome "was very much a hero."
"Everybody he met, they all love him so much," she said, speaking from Early, near Brownwood.
Kevin Eoff said Ledsome was an athletic teenager who loved to golf during his childhood in Brownwood, about 100 miles northwest of Austin.
He graduated from Brownwood High School in 2000 and later moved to Austin, where he ran a pro shop at a golf course.
Ledsome leaves behind a wife, Megan, and their 2-year-old son, Caleub. Eoff said Ledsome always wanted to be near his son, even though he spent much of his time away in the military.
Eoff said it was clear that Ledsome believed in what he was doing in Iraq.
"He just thought it was the right thing to do," Eoff said. "We're proud of him."
Ellie