thedrifter
05-17-07, 05:58 PM
Published: May 17, 2007 07:43 am
Richmond Marine drowns in North Carolina
Register News Writer
NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. — A U.S. Marine from Richmond drowned Saturday after being caught in a riptide off North Topsail Beach in North Carolina.
Lance Cpl. James Thomas Bullen, 22, who was with the Weapons Training Battalion at Camp Lejeune, was found within 10 feet of the shore at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, authorities said.
A 2003 graduate of Madison Central High School, where he was a four-year member of the ROTC, Bullen will be escorted back to Richmond by his brother, Pfc. Timothy S. Brown, his best friends, Lance Cpl. Robert Baird and Lance Cpl. Ryan Poppa; and 1st Sgt. Derrick Frye.
Bullen, whose body apparently was caught and kept tumbling in the current near where he drowned, was pulled ashore by members of the North Topsail Beach fire and police departments, said Lt. D. Freeman with the North Topsail Beach Police Department.
He was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital for identification, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
His family was notified of the incident, said Camp Lejeune spokesman 2nd Lt. Craig Thomas.
Authorities responded shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday to reports that two men were caught in a riptide about a mile south of the New River Inlet. The two men, including Bullen, were part of a group of three Marines and a civilian who were at the beach that afternoon, authorities said.
While the other Marine was pulled ashore by the third, Bullen went underwater before he could be rescued.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded with a boat and helicopter, along with the North Topsail Beach fire and police departments, Onslow County EMS and a representative from the Camp Lejeune fire department, Freeman said.
A helicopter also was offered for use by the U.S. Navy when the Coast Guard helicopter ran out of fuel, authorities said.
Bullen also was with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from June to December of last year, and helped evacuate Americans from fighting in Lebanon last summer, Thomas said.
Born on Oct. 29, 1984, in Shreveport, La., he joined the United States Marine Corps right out of high school, and served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bullen earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation w/star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He also is listed in the book, “Fallajuh with Honors.”
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, 328 W. Main St., Richmond. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be from 5 until 9 p.m. Friday at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home. Members of the United States Marine Corps will serve as pallbearers.
Contributions are suggested to: Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quanitco, VA 22134.
Ellie
Richmond Marine drowns in North Carolina
Register News Writer
NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. — A U.S. Marine from Richmond drowned Saturday after being caught in a riptide off North Topsail Beach in North Carolina.
Lance Cpl. James Thomas Bullen, 22, who was with the Weapons Training Battalion at Camp Lejeune, was found within 10 feet of the shore at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, authorities said.
A 2003 graduate of Madison Central High School, where he was a four-year member of the ROTC, Bullen will be escorted back to Richmond by his brother, Pfc. Timothy S. Brown, his best friends, Lance Cpl. Robert Baird and Lance Cpl. Ryan Poppa; and 1st Sgt. Derrick Frye.
Bullen, whose body apparently was caught and kept tumbling in the current near where he drowned, was pulled ashore by members of the North Topsail Beach fire and police departments, said Lt. D. Freeman with the North Topsail Beach Police Department.
He was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital for identification, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
His family was notified of the incident, said Camp Lejeune spokesman 2nd Lt. Craig Thomas.
Authorities responded shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday to reports that two men were caught in a riptide about a mile south of the New River Inlet. The two men, including Bullen, were part of a group of three Marines and a civilian who were at the beach that afternoon, authorities said.
While the other Marine was pulled ashore by the third, Bullen went underwater before he could be rescued.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded with a boat and helicopter, along with the North Topsail Beach fire and police departments, Onslow County EMS and a representative from the Camp Lejeune fire department, Freeman said.
A helicopter also was offered for use by the U.S. Navy when the Coast Guard helicopter ran out of fuel, authorities said.
Bullen also was with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from June to December of last year, and helped evacuate Americans from fighting in Lebanon last summer, Thomas said.
Born on Oct. 29, 1984, in Shreveport, La., he joined the United States Marine Corps right out of high school, and served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bullen earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/star, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation w/star and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He also is listed in the book, “Fallajuh with Honors.”
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home, 328 W. Main St., Richmond. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be from 5 until 9 p.m. Friday at the Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home. Members of the United States Marine Corps will serve as pallbearers.
Contributions are suggested to: Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quanitco, VA 22134.
Ellie