Two Marines killed in Afghanistan

[thedrifter]

Two Marines killed in Afghanistan
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January 28, 2009 - 6:33 PM
DAILY NEWS STAFF

Two Camp Lejeune-based Marines died Tuesday during combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to a Marine Corps press release.

Sgt. David W. Wallace III, 25, of Sharpsville, Pa., and Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, Mont., were assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.

Wallace was a combat engineer who had deployed to Iraq from September 2004 to April 2005 and from July 2007 to January 2008. He deployed to Afghanistan in November.

Wallace's awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with a bronze star in lieu of a second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with a bronze star in lieu of a second award, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Johnson was a combat engineer who first deployed to Afghanistan from June 2005 to January 2006. He deployed to Iraq from October 2006 to May 2007. He deployed to Afghanistan the second time in November.

Johnson's awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon with a gold star in lieu of a second award, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze stars in lieu of a fourth award, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Published on Thursday, January 29, 2009.
Last modified on 1/29/2009 at 12:47 am
Montana man killed by IED in Afghanistan

By ZACH BENOIT
Of The Gazette Staff
A Marine from Eastern Montana died this week in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, 23, of Forsyth, died Tuesday while supporting combat operations in Helmand province in southwest Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Johnson was a combat engineer assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp LeJeune, N.C.

The department also announced the death on the same day of another Marine from the battalion, Sgt. David W. Wallace III, of Sharpsville, Pa.

The Defense Department did not release details of the deaths. Wallace's mother, Carol Wallace, said her son was killed by an improvised explosive device.

Johnson joined the Marine Corps on Aug. 19, 2003. According to Gov. Brian Schweitzer's "Montana Heroes" Web site, he grew up on his family's ranch and joined the Marines as a senior in high school. Within 18 months of joining, he was promoted from private to corporal and later reached the rank of sergeant.

He was first deployed to Afghanistan from June 2005 to January 2006. He served in Iraq from October 2006 to May 2007. He also served in Southeast Asia and was a member of the 2nd Marine Division Anti-Terror Battalion.

He was deployed to Afghanistan for the second time last November.

Johnson joined the Marines "in order to 'give something back' to his nation and to 'make a difference' in other people's lives," the Web site states.

During his service, he was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbing, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

According to The Billings Gazette's records, Johnson participated in track, wrestling and football at Colstrip High School.

He is the 29th Montana service member to die in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Ellie