2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Lejeune, NC
He was a machine gunner and was killed while supporting combat operations. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the age of 17, requiring his mother to sign the papers for him to enlist. He graduated from Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, WA, in 2008 and in less than two years he had risen to the rank of Lance Corporal. In October he was sent to Afghanistan and earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal and the Purple Heart, posthumously. Eric was the kind of man who always kept his fellow Marines laughing no matter how difficult the situation. He had such a joy of life that others could not help but be affected in a positive way. Besides his humor, Eric was known for his athletic ability and giving nature. Each year while in school, he would buy extra school supplies to give to those who were unable to buy their own. This proud but kind young man with the piercing blue eyes also thought of his fellow Marines. Eric told his folks about how some of the guys were less fortunate than him. Not all of them came from a strong, loving and supportive family so he wanted to help them. Eric told his dad, "Some of these guys don't have everything they need." He enlisted his family in helping him get much needed gear for his brother Marines.
2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Lejeune, NC
He was a machine gunner and was killed while supporting combat operations. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the age of 17, requiring his mother to sign the papers for him to enlist. He graduated from Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, WA, in 2008 and in less than two years he had risen to the rank of Lance Corporal. In October he was sent to Afghanistan and earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal and the Purple Heart, posthumously. Eric was the kind of man who always kept his fellow Marines laughing no matter how difficult the situation. He had such a joy of life that others could not help but be affected in a positive way. Besides his humor, Eric was known for his athletic ability and giving nature. Each year while in school, he would buy extra school supplies to give to those who were unable to buy their own. This proud but kind young man with the piercing blue eyes also thought of his fellow Marines. Eric told his folks about how some of the guys were less fortunate than him. Not all of them came from a strong, loving and supportive family so he wanted to help them. Eric told his dad, "Some of these guys don't have everything they need." He enlisted his family in helping him get much needed gear for his brother Marines.