The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
1st Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante, 35, of Athens, Ga.
Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks, 24, of Rogers, Ark.
Both Marines died April 15 while conducting combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. They were both assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, N.C.
I meet 1stSgt Mercardante when he was the AMOI here at the Virginia Military Institute in 2005. He was a great man, a friend, a father and a Christian. May he and Cpl. Wilks along with all the other Marines who have paid the ultiment sacrafice Rest in Peace as they guard the Streets of Heaven. Semper Fi
Hand Slaute
