Four U.S. Marines died July 16, 2015, in a shooting at the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Also killed in the shooting was the gunman, Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez. Initially the names of the fallen were withheld, pending notification of their next of kin. Those names have since been released:
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist
Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells
Though I have no personal connection to the deceased, I'll do my best to honor their memories below the squiggle.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan
Thomas J. Sullivan was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, survived two tours of duty in Iraq, and earned two Purple Hearts.
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan was one of three children born to Jerry and Betty Sullivan. He grew up in the East Forest Park section of Springfield, graduated Cathedral High School and went on to serve his country in Iraq. Per the Boston Globe, "Those who served with Sullivan recalled him as a quintessential Marine, a natural leader who kept his composure amid terrible chaos, and helped less experienced Marines find their way. He would often take on extra duties, including dangerous missions under fire outside the military prison, so others could get more rest. And after battles, he made a point of talking to everyone under his command.”
“God Bless Tom Sullivan and his family and friends.” - MA Gov. Charlie Baker
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt
David A. Wyatt was married with two children, and was an active-duty member of Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines, an artillery unit based there.
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt was a native of Russellville, Ark. An Eagle Scout and band musician, Sgt. Wyatt played at President Bill Clinton's inauguration. Few details about this hero are publicly available at this time, but The Tennesseean managed to interview his former scoutmaster, Tony Ward. "He's the kind of man that this country needs more of," said Ward.
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist
Carson A. Holmquist was an automotive maintenance technician from Grantsburg, Wis. He leaves behind a wife and a young son.
During his time in the Marine Corps, Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist earned several medals and honors, including the Navy Marine Corps Achievement, two Sea Service Deployment ribbons, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a Global War of Terrorism Service Medal. He enlisted in the Marines in January 2009 and had already had two tours in Afghanistan — one in 2013, the other in 2014.
Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells
Known as "Skip," Squire K. Wells played the clarinet, loved flag football and Nerf guns, and had a passion for U.S. history. He hailed from Sprayberry, Ga.
Skip Wells' girlfriend Caroline Dove was the last person to communicate with him before he was murdered. She was texting him regarding an upcoming visit when he texted back "ACTIVE SHOOTER." She thought he was kidding: "You are so weird," she replied.
In remembering her boyfriend, Dove praised his ability to handle her when she was grouchy and how good he was at listening. He dreamed of being a drill sergeant, and when they last saw each other around Valentine's Day, he gave her a gold-and-silver ring. His high school classmate Lindsey Pittman said, "He was just a protector. He looked at everyone with love. And he would go anywhere to protect anybody.”
May we remember these heroes and keep their memories alive as best we can.
7:51 AM PT: Just after publishing, I saw that an as-yet unidentified 5th victim has just died of his wounds. Tragedy on top of tragedy.