thedrifter
04-04-07, 08:58 AM
Jersey Marine's death in Iraq is investigated
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
BY WAYNE WOOLLEY
Star-Ledger Staff
The military is investigating the death of a 19-year-old Marine from Secaucus who died in Iraq on Sunday, the Department of Defense said yesterday.
Pfc. Miguel A. Marcial III enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2005 and joined the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines last April. He was trained as a field radio operator and based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A statement about Marcial's death released by U.S. Central Command described it as "non-combat related incident," but provided no further details. The military referred all questions about his death to the 2nd Marine Division's public affairs office, which did not return phone calls last night.
Yesterday, his mother Diana Cabrera, who now lives in Chatham, remembered her only son's friendly nature and "great smile."
"He was outgoing and funny, and had just a good personality," Cabrera said.
Secaucus High School Principal Patrick Impreveduto said Marcial attended the school through 11th grade before transferring to a New Jersey National Guard program known as ChalleNGe, which allows high school dropouts to obtain their degree after finishing a 22-week course.
"He was a really nice young man, a pleasant, personable kid who will be missed by the entire community," said Impreveduto.
Former teacher and mentor Mike Kelly described Marcial as "your typical nice kid. He was very popular with the girls, and he had a real playful side to him."
He said Marcial just shipped out to Iraq a month ago.
"He was only there a month. The whole thing is so shocking," he said.
Marcial is the 70th service member with ties to New Jersey to die in Iraq. He is survived by his mother, Diana Cabrera, and his father, Miguel Marcial Jr. of Brooklyn.
Ellie
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
BY WAYNE WOOLLEY
Star-Ledger Staff
The military is investigating the death of a 19-year-old Marine from Secaucus who died in Iraq on Sunday, the Department of Defense said yesterday.
Pfc. Miguel A. Marcial III enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2005 and joined the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines last April. He was trained as a field radio operator and based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A statement about Marcial's death released by U.S. Central Command described it as "non-combat related incident," but provided no further details. The military referred all questions about his death to the 2nd Marine Division's public affairs office, which did not return phone calls last night.
Yesterday, his mother Diana Cabrera, who now lives in Chatham, remembered her only son's friendly nature and "great smile."
"He was outgoing and funny, and had just a good personality," Cabrera said.
Secaucus High School Principal Patrick Impreveduto said Marcial attended the school through 11th grade before transferring to a New Jersey National Guard program known as ChalleNGe, which allows high school dropouts to obtain their degree after finishing a 22-week course.
"He was a really nice young man, a pleasant, personable kid who will be missed by the entire community," said Impreveduto.
Former teacher and mentor Mike Kelly described Marcial as "your typical nice kid. He was very popular with the girls, and he had a real playful side to him."
He said Marcial just shipped out to Iraq a month ago.
"He was only there a month. The whole thing is so shocking," he said.
Marcial is the 70th service member with ties to New Jersey to die in Iraq. He is survived by his mother, Diana Cabrera, and his father, Miguel Marcial Jr. of Brooklyn.
Ellie