Two Marines from Camp Pendleton killed in Afghanistan

Two Marines from Camp Pendleton have been killed in combat in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday night.

Pfc. Colton Rusk, 20, (pictured) of Orange Grove, Texas, and Cpl. Derek Wyatt, 25, of Akron, Ohio, were killed Monday. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton.

Both were machine-gunners on their first combat deployment.

The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is assigned to wrest control of a region called Sangin from the Taliban, and has had 19 Marines killed since Oct. 8.

Rusk was a high school football and baseball star, according to the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times. In the Marines, he became a dog-handler. He had long wanted to become a Marine and enlisted soon after graduation, the newspaper said.

The newspaper said that Rusk wrote beneath his senior picture in the school yearbook: "Don't be afraid to go after your hopes and dreams but don't be afraid to be willing to pay the price."

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-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Colton Rusk. Credit; Courtesy of Corpus Christi Caller-Times.

Comments

[Bobby Hated]

america isnt at war. the marine corps is at war. america is shopping at the mall and watching reality television.

[Former Marine]

Semper Fidelis RIP young Marines!

[Doc Irish]

R.I.P. brothers.

[Marine Wife]

Thank you young heroes. Rest in Peace. God Bless 3/5.

[Mate]

Your sacrifice won't be forgotten! RIP

[PAT]

RIP

[KATLYNN]

RIP MARINE!!!!! THANKS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO KEEP US ALL SAFE HERE BACK AT HOME GOD BLESS AND YOUR NOT FORGOTEN!!!

[cavscout]

Rest in Peace Brother in Arms!!

[Rodney "Pappy" Jackson]

I'm a old Marine living in Orange Grove, Tx. and went to church with this young Marine and his family. Let me tell you this, this young men had red and gold blood flowing through his veins since he was about ten years old.
Before he enlisted he saw first hand the affects of war, his best friend lost both of his legs in combat in Afghanistan's Helmand province, and during Justin's rehab in San Antonio Colton was by his friend side, there he saw many wounded serviceman yet he never waiver from his dream to be one of
The Few,The Proud, a Marine. Semper Fi, PFC Colton Rusk you are loved and missed. Enjoy Heaven Colton your time in hell is over.

[Astonished]

I think the only one shopping at the mall and watching reality television is you Bobby Hated.

Rest in Peace soliders. Your heros in my book. I wish you had never had to make this sacrifice.