June 25

Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald, USMC

The Department of Defense announced on June 27 that Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald, 29, of Washington, D.C., was killed on June 25 in Iraq. MacDonald was killed when the light armored vehicle he was traveling in rolled over.

MacDonald was assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Frederick, Md.

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Detrick Marine killed in Iraq

Ft. Detrick Standard ~~ July 10 ~~ Lance Cpl. Gregory MacDonald from B Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, died June 25, and two other Marines from the company were injured when they responded to a call from Marines who were caught in an enemy ambush in Iraq.

The crew was in a Light Armored Vehicle on their way to assist Marines from another unit when the road crumbled beneath them and the vehicle rolled over into a canal, writes Company Commander Maj. Bruce Bell.

Staff Sgt. Jason Shiflet from Ephrata, Pa., was critically injured, but is now in stable condition in a hospital in Germany. Lance Cpl. Matt Garner sustained lighter injuries and is back with his unit, Bell writes.

"While Lance Corporal MacDonald and his crew went above and beyond to get to their embattled brethren, they unfortunately suffered this accident before they could reach the ambush site," Bell writes in a letter to the families.

MacDonald, from Washington, D.C., joined the Marine Corps Reserves in March 1999 and reported to B Company in December 1999. He was assigned as a LAV gunner with the First Platoon.

MacDonald would have been 30 years old this October and was a graduate of American University, Washington, D.C., where he earned a masters degree in Middle Eastern studies.

"He was excited about the opportunity to see the Middle East in person and how it might contrast from his academic impressions," writes Bell. "'Mac' as everyone called him, loved talking about politics and current events. It was an honor to serve with such a noble and dedicated American, Marine and citizen. He selflessly and unhesitatingly responded when duty called. He will be sorely missed in Bravo Company."

B Company was activated in February, 2003, and joined the II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where they deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

MacDonald is the second Marine from the unit to die in battle. The first was Lance Cpl. James M. Lang from Pomfret, Md., who was killed when the company was deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1990 and 91 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

MacDonald is survived by his parents, Arthur and Diana MacDonald from Burlington, Mass., a brother, Matt MacDonald, and sister, Karen Edwards.

He was buried July 5 in his hometown of Burlington.