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Cpl. Carl Sampson CW3 Michael Wells LCpl. Justin McLeese Sgt. Jeffrey Lynn Kirk
First Lt. Jeffrey Adams Cpl. Matthew Cole Spc. Russell Kyle Burleson Spc. Christopher Vining
Sgt. Christopher Ramsey Sfc. Michael McNaughton Sgt. John Aaron Blanchard LCpl. Ryan McCurdy
Sgt. Sammy Anderson Sgt. Jonathan Reed Lt. Christopher Barnett Pfc. David Burridge
Cpl. David Bear Stewart Sfc. Kurt Comeaux Spc. Matthew King Cpl. Michael Savoie
Cpl. Jacob Schick LCpl. Hardy Mills IV
Cpl. David S. Stewart, "Bear" graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Camp Pendleton the week of 9-11. After amphibious assault and Marine combat training, he was stationed with 4th Marine Div, 4th AABN, 3rd Plt. Alpha Company in Gulfport, Ms.
April 2002 he was selected for UNITAS 43-02,a special training deployment to South America, returning in December. January, 2003, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he displayed exemplary courage during battle for An Nasarea. Under direct enemy fire he unjammed the weapon atop his AAV, freeing up a squad of Marines which had been pinned down by sniper fire, resulting in the killing of the sniper and the completion of the mission. For this he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with V for
Valor in Combat.
Returning home in June, 2003, he soon volunteered for a special training operation in Australia. Completing that mission, he signed on active duty with the Inspector/Instructor Staff, 3rd Pltn. 4th AABN, Alpha Co, where he took pride in his work with the Marine Corps.
His generous heart and gratitude were revealed in his work with Toys For Tots and his visitation to war veterans at the VA hospital.
January, 2005, Bear volunteered again when 3rd Pltn, 4th Tracks was selected for a second deployment to Iraq. His devotion to duty exhibited itself again when he discovered and destroyed an insurgent supply line, suppressing indirect fire on the town of Hit. For this he was awarded his second Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. On August 3, 2005, during combat operations near Haditha Dam, Bear's AAV was struck by an IED, instantly killing him and 14 other Marines. For this, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
His dear friend and brother Marine, Cpl. Matt Cole wrote of Bear: "Bear was a man who loved his family dearly, a child of God who was loved by all who knew him. He would give the shirt off his back to a stranger and had no fear of giving his life for this country and the people he loved so much. He was described by his superiors as "a Marine's Marine" and his legacy of leadership and knowledge still resonates today with 3rd Pltn. Alpa Co. which soon will hold a ceremony to name a building in his memory. Job well done Marine, and Semper Fi."
