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America's Battalion Remember Fallen Leader

by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment paused to honor a fallen brother.

Cpl. Mark McElMurray, a 23-year-old vehicle operator from Forrestville, N.Y., assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, honors a fallen brother. Marines with the battalion held a memorial service Dec. 9 to honor Cpl. Nicholas P. Rapavi who was killed in action Nov. 24. He was remembered as a Marine who would speak his mind about anything and as a strong leader. He was from Arlington, Va. (photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran)

A memorial service was held here Dec. 9 to honor Cpl. Nicholas P. Rapavi, a 22-year-old squad leader from Arlington, Va., who was killed in action Nov. 24. He was assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The battalion is currently serving in the Al Anbar Province with Regimental Combat Team 5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Cpl. Rapavi was tough," said Lt. Col. Kenneth M. DeTreux, a 41-year-old battalion commander from Philadelphia. "He was unafraid. He knew full well and he knew first hand the high stakes and dangers that existed in this country,"

The battalion has been operating in their area operations for more than four months.

"Cpl. Rapavi was the kind of Marine other Marines looked up to," said Sgt. Stephen T. Reagan, a 24-year-old squad leader from Logan, W.Va. "I know I did. I went to him for advice on more than one occasion, and he was always happy to give it to me, whether I wanted to hear it or not."

Marines who served with Rapavi remembered him as a Marine who was straight forward with everyone regardless of who they were.

"He was upfront and direct with a person and always voiced his opinion on everything," said Cpl. Rondell L. Copeland, a 24-year-old team leader from Hartford, Conn. "He held his squad to very high standards and himself to even higher standards."

Rapavi's abilities as a leader were also remembered. They remembered him as Marine who always made sure his Marines were taken care of before him. He would stand up to anyone for his Marines.

"He was confident, strong-willed, and fiercely loyal to the Marines in his charge," DeTreux said. "Cpl. Rapavi's leadership and individual actions throughout his time here in Iraq were of the quality heroes are made of."

Marines constructed a memorial consisting of a helmet resting on the buttstock of a rifle, identification tags hanging from the rifle and boots placed at its base. A photo of Rapavi rested on an easel next to his memorial.

Rapavi's first sergeant called out "Final Roll," and a Marine played "Taps" to end the ceremony.

Marines from his battalion then came forward to pay their final respects to their fallen brother.

Rapavi graduated from Bryant High School in Arlington. He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in May of 2003. He completed the School of Infantry (East) and obtained the military occupational specialty, that of basic rifleman.

Rapavi's awards include the Purple Heart with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

"Cpl. Rapavi is more than a stellar squad leader, friend or even brother," Reagan said. "He's the nameless love and unbreakable bond formed by blood, sweat and tear in this profession we call "Grunts."

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