Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); killed Dec. 1 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. Also killed were Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten, Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, and Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson. SSgt. Clay joined the Marine Corps in June 1996, shortly after graduating. In early 2006 President Bush singled out Daniel in his State of the Union address using the words of Staff Sergeant to bolster his case for staying the course in Iraq. "I know what honor is," Bush said, quoting Clay. "It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never falter! Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." As Bush spoke, Clay's parents and his widow, Lisa, were among First Lady Laura Bush's guests in the gallery. He was a highly decorated Marine during his nine years in the Corps. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his parents, Sara Jo and Bud Clay. He was 27.
Marine Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); killed Dec. 1 by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. Also killed were Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten, Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, and Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson. SSgt. Clay joined the Marine Corps in June 1996, shortly after graduating. In early 2006 President Bush singled out Daniel in his State of the Union address using the words of Staff Sergeant to bolster his case for staying the course in Iraq. "I know what honor is," Bush said, quoting Clay. "It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never falter! Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting." As Bush spoke, Clay's parents and his widow, Lisa, were among First Lady Laura Bush's guests in the gallery. He was a highly decorated Marine during his nine years in the Corps. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, his parents, Sara Jo and Bud Clay. He was 27.
