Saturday, December 03 2005 @ 03:53 PM EST
Contributed by: River97
Views: 1,296
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 www.chron.com
Two Houston-area Marines — Lance Cpl. Robert Alexander Martinez and Staff Sgt. William D. Richardson — were killed this week in the war in Iraq.
Martinez, 20, of Cleveland, was scheduled to end his second tour of duty on Jan. 12. He was killed Thursday night in a roadside bomb near Fallujah, authorities said.
 
...Robert Martinez.......William Richardson...
Ten Marines on foot patrol from the 2nd Marine Division were reported killed about 30 miles west of Baghdad near Fallujah on Thursday night, in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops in recent months. Authorities could not confirm Friday whether Martinez was part of that group.
Richardson, 30, of Houston, was also on his second tour when he died Wednesday from wounds sustained during a nonhostile vehicle accident near Al Taqaddum.
During his last trip home, Martinez visited his high school in Cleveland, where he expressed pride in being part of an elite military unit that he felt was making a difference for the people in Iraq. Martinez had been based at the Marine Corp Air Ground and Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif., which had also been the home of the 10 troop members killed Thursday.
He joined the Marines just days after graduating from Cleveland High School in 2003, said his stepfather, Jeremy Hunt, of Splendora.
"He always wanted to be a Marine. He didn't want to do anything second best. He knew they were one of the elite fighting forces, best trained and motivated," Hunt said.
After Martinez enlisted, his mother, Kelly, and stepfather kept their front yard decorated with yellow ribbons, an American flag and signs that said, "Support Our Troops," "God Bless America" and "U.S. Marine Corps Parking Only."
"He enjoyed being in the Corps and was proud of it. He knew he was there for a reason and had a job to do to help resolve the situation," Hunt said.
Cleveland High School Principal Mike Ogden remembers Martinez talking about his pride in the Marines during his last visit to the campus.
"He thought he was making a difference in so many people's lives. He said the Iraqis had a tough life and he wanted to help them have a better one," Ogden said.
Martinez is the only alumnus of the school who lost his life in the war, Ogden said.
Martinez was a baseball pitcher at the school and dreamed of getting his education degree and coaching the sport, Ogden said.
"He loved baseball," Hunt said. "And he also loved to spend time with family and friends, barbecuing and making people smile."
Martinez had confided to his family that when he returned home in January that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend. "He is going to be deeply missed," Hunt said.
His father, James Kevin McGehee, sister, Candice McGehee, 16, and brother James M. McGehee, 14, all of Cleveland, could not be reached for comment.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Martinez's body is being held in Kuwait before being shipped to Washington, D.C., and then Houston.
Richardson had been based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron-372, Marine Wing Support Group-37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In Iraq, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Richardson's family could not be reached.
According to records released by the Department of Defense, Richardson joined the Marine Corps in June 1994.
He was awarded three of the Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals, two Navy Commendations, two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, three Marine Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, as well as the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. |
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I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your families, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Devil Dogs!