Project Honor

Honoring SPC Christopher G Stark

U.S. Army Spc. Christopher G. Stark was a 22-year-old Monett, Mo., native assigned to 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company Stark was working out of Combat Outpost Tangi in support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, while deployed in Afghanistan.

Several Soldiers said Stark was an outstanding team member and a great EOD technician. Stark’s comrades said he was always willing to help others and made everything he did fun for himself and for those around him.

“Spc. Stark served as my EOD team member; his input and enthusiasm was crucial to the successful completion of numerous missions,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Czikalla of Clive, Iowa. “He loved being an EOD technician. There was never a day that Chris didn’t live life to the fullest. He experienced more in his 22 years than many do in a lifetime.”

Stark’s “strong sense of loyalty and devotion to his team made him a very reliable technician,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Chandara Hak of Santa Rosa, Calif., and 705th EOD member. “You could always count on Spc. Stark to have your back in any situation.”

Honoring SSG Chauncy R Mays

Chauncy R Mays was born December 7, 1985 and graduated from Chapel Hill HS in 2004.  He married Katherine Carpenter in 2007.

"He was such a sweet and positive person when I knew him." Molly Hudson, Dallas, TX, schoolmate, Como-Pickton High School

"He was always talking about going back what he could do to help somebody else. I never understood it, but it takes a different kind of person to do that and we're all proud of him." Matthew Terrell, best friend

Mays, a 25-year-old native of Cookville, Texas, was assigned to 63rd EOD Bn, 20th Support Command and attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division’s Task Force Patriot based at Fort Polk, La.,

He was assigned to 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company in the Tangi area. Mays was working out of Combat Outpost Tangi in support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, while deployed in Afghanistan.

While his comrades credit Mays’ dedication and expertise for having saved a “countless” number of lives as an EOD non-commissioned officer, he meant much more to them and to his unit.

Honoring Sgt Jason Thomas Smith

Jason Thomas Smith of Colorado Springs, CO, was born in Aberdeen, Washington and attended High School at Coronado HS before graduating at Doherty High School in 2000. 

He enjoyed fishing, Rock music, and playing basketball.  His childhood dream was to play professional basketball with the Utah Jazz.

"He absolutely loved the Marine Corps.” Robyn Winge, cousin.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps with a friend in 2000.  He has served as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor at MCA Cherry Point in North Carolina and had deployed twice to Iraq before a deployment to Afghanistan as an augmentee from his base in Iwakuni, Japan.

Honoring SSgt Jordan B Emrick

EOD Marine remembered for heart, selflessness and courage
  
by Cpl. Shannon McMillan 1st MarDiv

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan –Coalition forces and friends gathered for a memorial service to honor Staff Sgt. Jordan B. Emrick here, Nov. 13.

More than 100 service members bowed their heads in silence and paid their final respects to one of their own.

Emrick, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to 1st EOD Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), was killed Nov. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

“He was very eager to do his job,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott Ingbretsen, explosive ordnance disposal chief, 1st EOD Co., 1st MLG (FWD). “He was very dedicated to his job and to the other EOD technicians.”

Emrick enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 2002 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. After completion of Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, N.C., Emrick was assigned to 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.

In August 2006, Emrick re-enlisted in the Marine Corps and lateral moved into the Explosive Ordnance Disposal field. Upon completion of training, Emrick checked into 1st EOD Co., 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

In 2008, Emrick deployed as an EOD technician in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September 2009, he deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, returning in April 2010. Just six months later, he volunteered yet again to deploy with 1st EOD Co. in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“He turned down having time off and instead volunteered to go straight back to work,” said Staff Sgt. Donavin Bender, team leader with 1st EOD Co., 1st MLG (FWD). “We hit the ground running right out of the gates with a heavy workload.”

On Nov. 5, Emrick and his team were conducting a post-blast analysis on an improvised explosive device and rendered another IED safe. The patrol he was with then came under heavy small arms fire, which restricted their movement.

“Jordan quickly maintained a low profile and began to clear a pathway around the compound in order to ensure a safe pathway for the Marines of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph M. David, 3rd Platoon commander with 1st EOD Co., 1st MLG (FWD). “He exposed himself to hostile fire, searching for improvised explosive devices.”

While sweeping the area, Emrick noticed something suspicious and shouted a warning for the Marines to get to a safe distance. He then attempted to disable an IED. His last act saved the lives of his fellow Marines.

“Jordan paid the ultimate sacrifice and saved two lives that day, 1st Lt. Guy Zierks’ and mine,” Bender said. “I owe it to Jordan and his family to continue to work as hard as I possibly can, to do this job.”

“It is hard to say goodbye, so goodbye for now my friend,” said Bender. “Rest in peace, and know that you will never be forgotten.”

Original report.

Honoring SSgt Joshua J Cullins

1st Marine Division (Forward) memorializes fallen brother
by Cpl. Daniel Blatter 1st MarDiv

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from Regional Command Southwest and 1st Marine Division (Forward) at Camp Leatherneck, paused to honor Staff Sgt. Joshua James Cullins, Oct. 27.

Cullins, 28, a 1st Mar Div (Fwd) EOD technician with 1st EOD Company was killed in action, Oct. 19.

“First EOD Company has suffered great losses during this deployment,” said Capt. James Shelstad, 1st EOD Company, company commander. “Each loss has been significant and each loss has been equally painful for the entire EOD family, and for the families back home.”

Honoring GySgt Floyd E Holley

1st Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs
Story by Lance Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

09.07.2010  CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), along with members from other services, paused Sept. 7 to honor the memory of Gunnery Sgt. Floyd E. Holley, who died Aug. 29 while conducting counterinsurgency operations in Helmand province. He was 36 years old.

Holley, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD), was remembered as a Marine who always got the job done while keeping his cool and never breaking his composure.

“Holley was a fun-loving, always happy, easy going, beach-loving kind of guy,” said Master Sgt. Alonza I. MendozaValencia, EOD chief for 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD).

Honoring MSgt Daniel L Fedder

1st Marine Logistics Group Public Affairs
Story by Lance Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

09.07.2010  CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) gathered to pay final respects to their fallen comrade, Master Sgt. Daniel L. Fedder, who died, Aug. 27, while conducting counterinsurgency operations in Helmand province. He was 34 years old.

Fedder, an EOD technincan with 1st EOD Company, 1st MLG (FWD), loved his job as an EOD technician and as a Marine.

“Fedder was the ultimate jarhead” said Master Sgt. Alonza I. MendozaValencia, EOD chief for 1st EOD Co., 1st MLG (FWD). “He was always squared away. He was the model Marine, and he took care of his men.”

Fedder, from Pine City, Minn., had an eye for details that many others would miss, said co-workers.