April 7, 2003 - Diyala River, Iraq
A little over 7 years ago I lost two good friends from my platoon when their AAV was hit by an artillery round. We had been on the receiving end of an artillery barrage that lasted for two days. Our AAVs were set up in the defense and were engaging enemy forces across the Diyala River in Iraq. Right before we crossed the bridge over the Diyala River into the southeast district of Baghdad (Zafaraniya district I think the district was called), an artillery round hit my friend's AAV. The blast blew the hatches off the vehicle and killed the two Marines inside. It contained the explosion, though, from killing all of the infantry to the sides of the vehicle. I raced over there from my defensive position while carrying a Corpsman on my AAV, but it was too late.
To Corporal Jesus Medellin and Lance-Corporal Andrew Aviles! Even as they gave their lives, they saved the lives of all the Marines around them. I'll see you again when I get to Heaven, brothers!