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Marines Honor Fallen Brothers, Heroes During Memorial
(September 7, 2010) | 
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September 4, 2010 -- Marines paid tribute to the lives and service of two fallen
brothers during a memorial service at Forward Operating Base Rankel, Helmand
province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. |
Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer and Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E. Holley were killed in
action Aug. 8 and Aug. 29, respectively, while conducting combat operations
in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Holley, an explosive ordinance technician, was attached to Kilo Company, 3rd
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. The 36-year-old Marine was from Winter Park,
Fla., although fellow Marines say that he was Hawaii through and through.
Greer, a combat engineer, was a reservist with Delta Co., 4th Combat
Engineer Battalion, from Pebway, Tenn. Greer was activated and deployed with
3rd CEB in direct support of 3/1.
Fellow Marines described through countless stories how both Marines were
family men. The two are also remembered by their |
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Marines from Delta Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, kneel at the battlefield memorials to pay their final respects to Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer and Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E. Holley during a memorial service at Forward Operating Base Rankel, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2010. Greer and Holley were killed in action Aug. 8 and Aug. 29, respectively, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. |
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fellow Marines as experts in their fields, and died clearing the way for
Marines to carry on the missions at hand. |
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Navy Lt. Cmdr. Louis C. Lee, the 3/1 chaplain, reminded the Marines, sailors and
Afghan National Army soldiers that the year of birth and death are an important
part on a person's tombstone, but the hyphen represents the life they lived.
Both of these Marines lived their lives to the fullest and for the safety of
others.
“It is difficult to find words that are adequate to capture the meaning and
impact of their lives and sacrifice,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin T. Watson, the
commanding officer of 3/1. “Both men were strong, and both men were beloved by
their brothers who stand here today.”
Greer is remembered by his fellow Marines as a leader who led by example and one
of the finest combat engineers. Greer, who also served as a volunteer
firefighter in his hometown, volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan and was also
the first to volunteer to serve with 3/1 during Operation Roadhouse II.
“One thing I can say, first of all, is that he will be missed,” said Cpl.
Benjamin R. Ledbetter, a fellow engineer from Delta Co. “Being a firefighter in
the civilian world, Cpl. Greer to us was already a hero.”
Holley also was remembered by his peers as a Marine who knew his job, conducting
it without hesitation and not letting anything faze him. Marines and sailors who
worked with him, barely knew him or only knew of his reputation looked up to him
and the example he set.
“I am sure everyone here, working with Floyd and knowing him over the last five
months, knows why his reputation would precede him,” said Sgt Matthew T.
Jackson, a fellow EOD technician. “His shirt was yours if you wanted it. He was
the rock for all of us, especially in (the EOD) community.”
“He was also a social hub and treated his family and friends the same,” said
Jackson. “There was no difference.”
Both Marines left a lasting mark and impact on their fellow Marines through
their actions and sacrifice.
Their fellow Marines will continue to honor their selflessness, heroism and
sacrifice every day, as they work to bring safety and security to the people of
Garmsir, said Watson.
Greer's personal awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO-ISAF Medal and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with
“M” device.
Holley's personal awards include the Purple Heart, Navy Marine Corps
Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Marine Corps
Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, NATO-ISAF Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. | |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Benjamin Crilly
Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs
Copyright 2010
Provided
through DVIDS
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