PATROL BASE HANJAR, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines and sailors from 5th and 8th Marine Regiment, paused to honor the life and service of Cpl. Kyle R. Schneider, during a memorial service at Patrol Base Hanjar, Afghanistan, July 7.
Schneider, a fire team leader for 3rd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, was killed in action June 30, while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Sangin. Schneider replaced his team leader who was also killed in action in February.
The 23-year-old was the son of Richard and Lorie Schneider from Phoenix, N.Y. Schneider attended community college pursuing a degree in criminal justice before enlisting in the Marine Corps in March of 2008.
“Cpl. Schneider wanted to serve something higher than himself,” said Lt. Col. John D. Harrill, the battalion commander of 2/8. “I remember talking to him in the barracks, he left community college because he didn’t feel like he was doing enough for the country he loved. He certainly did something greater than himself when he came over here to fight alongside ya’ll, to protect his country and to help the people of Afghanistan.”
Before deploying to Afghanistan, Schneider completed Marine Security Forces Training in October 2008 and served at Guard Company, Marine Corps Barracks 8th and I, Washington, D.C., until May of 2010. Schneider was the type of person others admired and tried to emulate.
“We are here to remember a man whose life was defined by sacrifice,” said Capt. Glenn P. Baker, the commanding officer for Company E, 2/8. “Schneider was a man who most people pray to be like. He was brave, he was loyal, he was humble and the thing I knew him most for, he was selfless.”
Baker reminded those gathered that they all shared positive memories of Schneider; memories of a Marine whose excitement would not be limited to himself.
“That was just the type of man Kyle was; he was infectiously happy,” said Baker. “I know there isn’t a man here who hasn’t had one day brightened by him”
He also brightened people’s day in Afghanistan by making plans for what the Marines would do upon their return to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
“Cpl. Schneider was all about having a good time. No matter the situation, he always made the best of it. He loved talking about potential plans for when we got back to America,” said Sgt. James W. Blanton, a section leader with Weapons Platoon, Company E. “Cpl. Schneider always looked for laughter. When Marines were down or just needed a laugh he was the one to help out with it.”
“In the end though, he lived like he died,” said Baker. “Putting others before himself with the same fervor, curiosity and paternity that wouldn’t let him put another in harms ways without taking most of the danger himself.”
Editor’s note: 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8 is currently assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.