MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – “Corporal Linnabary gave his life; he gave the ultimate sacrifice doing something he believed in wholeheartedly, we should all be so lucky,” 1st Lt. Jim Nash, Linnabary’s platoon commander said solemnly. “I have an unspeakable appreciation for that sacrifice. I miss him terribly and he’s irreplaceable, but the memories of him and the living memory that is his daughter will be his legacy and the conduct of the Marines to follow will be in his honor.”
Marines with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, held a memorial for Cpl. Daniel L. Linnabary II, a tanker with Bravo Company, to remember his constant and unfailing dedication to family and the Corps. Linnabary, the son of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret.) Daniel and Aneta Linnabary was killed in action while conducting dismounted combat operations in Now Zad District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 6, 2012. To the Marines who worked with him on a daily basis, Linnabary was a constant source of motivation.
“He truly cared how you worked, how you carried yourself, and how to better yourself,” said Wallingford, Ct., native Lance Cpl. Nicholas Matarese. “As a friend, anything I needed or if I needed to talk to anyone or ever doubted myself, he was the one I could go to. I am more proud to say that I can call him a best friend, a mentor, and I consider myself one of the luckiest Marines to say that I was taught under him and I can pass on what he taught me.”
Those who were close to Linnabary spoke fondly of his dedication not only to his brothers-in-arms but also to his family.
“Watching him grow as a Marine, a father and husband, it is one of the proudest feelings that I have,” said Louisville, Ky., native, Staff Sgt. Jon Kramer. “He meant a lot to me. He may not have been blood, but he was my son, please keep Daniel in your hearts and minds and carry on his legacy. In his famous last words, ‘Everything that is going on, get back on the tank, drive on.’
Corporal Linnabary was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. His additional awards include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and NATO ISAF Medal.
Corporal Linnabury is survived by his wife, Chelsea and daughter, Rosalie May Linnabary.