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'America's Battalion' mourns fallen Marine

Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment paused operations to honor a Marine who gave his life for freedom.

Navy Seaman Charles E. Feuker, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, kisses the identification tags of Lance Cpl. James D. Hirlston. Hirlston, 21, from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was killed in action Aug. 23. He was a rifleman with Weapons Company.

A memorial service was held here Sept. 2 to honor Lance Cpl. James D. Hirlston. The 21-year-old from Murfreesboro, Tenn., was killed in action Aug. 23. He was assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The battalion is currently operating in Gharmah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 5.

"Although he had less than a year in the fleet he demonstrated a level of motivation, dedication to duty and determination that inspired everyone who knew him," said Lt. Col. Kenneth M. DeTreux, the 41-year-old battalion commander from Philadelphia. "He was growing into an exceptional small-unit leader and his future was bright in the Corps."

The battalion has been in their area of operations for more than a month.

"He was a leader amongst his peers," said 1st Lt. Scott R. Burlison, a 38-year-old company commander from Cuyahoga, Ohio. "Even when times were tough, he demonstrated a positive attitude, and this was contagious amongst all of us, especially during a challenging time."

Marines who served with him remembered his ability to lighten the mood with his kind heart.

"He was always upbeat and he always made me laugh," said Pvt. Kelly E. Jones, a 26-year-old mortarman from Grantsboro, N.C. "I'd be having the worst day and he could just come by and have me laughing and in a good mood in no time. When we went on patrols, we called him the candy man because he always had something for the kids. You could tell that he really enjoyed talking to the kids and giving them food and water."

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