1/8 Marines honor fallen warriors

Photo By Cpl. Joshua Hines | 1st Sgt. James Robertson, company 1st Sgt. with Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, salutes as “Taps” plays during a memorial ceremony held in honor of Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez and Staff Sgt. Stacy A. Green with Company A, in Musa Qal’eh, Dec. 29. “They were both great Americans. Their deaths are deeply felt by all of us who knew and served with them. Staff Sgt. Green and Lance Cpl. Hernandez were brave, loyal, and determined Marines who performed their duty with simple dignity, unselfishness, and grace,” said Lt. Col. Dan T. Canfield, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 8th Marines. Green was born Aug. 22, 1976, in Tallapoosa, Ala. and Hernandez was born Dec. 26, 1990 in Palm Beach, Fla.  

MUSA QAL’EH, AFGHANISTAN

12.29.2010

Story by Cpl. Joshua Hines 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MUSA QAL’EH, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, paused to honor two fallen brothers, Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez and Staff Sgt. Stacy A. Green with Company A, during a memorial ceremony in Musa Qal’eh, Dec. 29.

“Staff Sergeant Green was a man who loved to make people laugh and have a good time,” said Cpl. Brian Cozy with Weapons Platoon, Company A. “Spending time with his Marines was definitely a top priority to him and anytime spent with him was an unforgettable one.”

While serving with Weapons Platoon, Green was an integral part of training and preparing the Marines for Operation Enduring Freedom. Green’s proficiency and deployment experience were critical to each piece of training the Marines of weapons platoon carried out.

Entering the Marine Corps on Sept. 30, 1999, Green graduated basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Paris Island, S.C. Dec. 31, 1999. Green then reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he completed his training as an infantryman. Over his Marine Corps career, Green served in numerous billets and leadership positions. On May 31, 2008, Green reported for duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, and was assigned to Weapons Platoon, Company A.

“He was an example of how to treat and act toward your Marines,” said Cpl. Austin Breiter with Weapons Platoon, Company A. “He taught me how to be a mentor who not only speaks, but listens, to lead not only by observing, but by his Marines observing him.”

Lance Cpl. Hernandez entered the Marine Corps Dec. 5, 2007 and graduated basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Sept. 18, 2009. Hernandez then reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he completed his training as a rifleman. Hernandez reported for duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, Dec. 12, 2009, and was assigned to 2nd Platoon, Company A.

“He always managed to keep a positive attitude, and he had an ability to motivate everyone around him even during the toughest of times,” said Sgt. David Ketron, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Company A.

While serving with 2nd Platoon, Hernandez strove to better himself and those around him. He was a junior Marine that was up for accomplishing any task in preparation for Operation Enduring Freedom. Hernandez, in most situations, was the go-to-guy, in which his motivation and passion for his job was key to the successful completion of his platoon’s pre-deployment training in Fort Pickett, Va. and Enhanced Mojave Viper at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.

“Lance Cpl. Hernandez was a solid Marine with a self-depreciating sense of humor which belied a confident upright man,” said Capt. Daniel O’Brian, commanding officer of Company A. “His demeanor, his eagerness to take on responsibility, and his maturity were all hallmarks of a leader.”

Both Marines were well respected by their fellow Marines as well as their superiors, who saw their exemplary character and dedication.

“Both Staff Sgt. Green and Lance Cpl. Hernandez were unselfish patriots who put country before complaint and service before self, not by the promise of hollow words but rather by the stout-hearted execution of their deeds and actions,” said Lt. Col. Dan T. Canfield, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 8th Marines. “They were both great Americans. Their deaths are deeply felt by all of us who knew and served with them. Staff Sgt. Green and Lance Cpl. Hernandez were brave, loyal, and determined Marines who performed their duty with simple dignity, unselfishness, and grace.”
Final roll was called three times, only to be answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.

• Date Taken: 12.29.2010
• Date Posted: 01.05.2011 10:54
• Story ID: 63048
• Location: MUSA QAL’EH, AF