Fallen Heroes of Kilo

 On July 24, 2007 my son-in-law, SGT. Samuel Nichols, was severely wounded by in IED (improvised explosive device) while escorting a convoy in the Dilyala province of Iraq.  During this attack, four of his Marine Corp buddies were killed.  Sam is still in pretty bad shape so I’m sure he isn’t even aware of the deaths of his brothers—but I know one day, he will mourn their passing. This page is dedicated to the memory of the fallen hero’s of Kilo Battery 3/12.

Corporal James H. McRae
Corporal Matthew R. Zindars
Lance Corporal Robert A Lynch
Hospitalman (FMF) Daniel S. Noble

The following was taken from the blog of a military officer who attended their memorial service in Ramadi:

The Armed Forces Memorial ritual has become all too familiar to me. The National Anthem, the Invocation, comments by a Battalion or Task Force Commander; the Company or Battery Commander; the Platoon Leader; comments by their platoon mates; a final roll call, taps, and the rendering of honors.There were numerous General Officers at this Memorial, including the top dog in Iraq. I sat at the right rear of the hall and was able to see all of the them as they left. A look into their faces as they walked by me told me they all felt what we all feel at one of these. The sadness and the ache for our fellow service members and those families back home.I looked at the pictures of these young Marines and this Sailor, who all looked so young, and with the nautical services penchant for not changing its uniforms, timeless, and reflected on the expressions of the General Officers. The pain for my fellow service members was lifted because I knew then the leadership here “gets it.”

There was also at least one Iraqi general as well as some Iraqi colonels at the service. I was moved as they lay his hand on each helmet and rendered the hand salute.

Rest easy now Marines and Doc – your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Corporal James Heath McRae, USMC:
On July 24, 2007 CPL James Heath McRae, 22, was killed by an insurgent IED attack.  He was driving the fourth vehicle in a convoy through the Diyala province of Iraq.

CPL. James Heath McRae, 22 is from Springtown in North Texas.  He left college and joined the Marines because he felt a calling to serve his country.  His mother said he felt he needed to repay his debt to his country by joining the military.

James was born July 6th, 1985 in Springtown Texas.  He learned how to fix fences, work cattle and how to repair boats and car engines from his father.  He loved to go fishing in the gulf of Mexico and on the stocked ponds of the family ranch.

James wasn’t just a country boy, he also loved music.  He played trombone and guitar and was good enough to earn a music scholarship to Weatherford College which he attended for one year.

James’ sister Amy said “my brother was and is a hero, along with the other marines, those who are here and those who are gone.  They will forever be in our hearts”.

HN Daniel S. Noble, United States Navy Corpsman:  On July 24, 2007 HM Daniel (Doc) Noble was killed by an insurgent IED attack.  Doc Noble was the drivers side passenger in the 4th vehicle of a 43 vehicle convoy passing through the Diyala province of Iraq. 

Doc Noble, 21 of Whittier California,  is in the Navy but assigned as one of several corpsman to Kilo Battery.  There is a very special bond between the Navy corpsman and the marines.  The corpsman is responsible for quickly assessing a marine’s injuries, stabilizing them and preparing them for transport.  Many times their job is performed while under fire from the enemy. 

A couple of days prior to  Doc Noble’s death his convoy was escorting busses full of Iraqi soldiers.  The bus behind them was hit by an IED killing several Iraqi soldiers.  Doc Noble pulled several of the Iraqi soldiers to safety as he was being fired upon by insurgents.  Kilo battery came together quickly and took out the insurgents before they could cause any more harm.  Just another day of saving lives and protecting their brothers (even Iraqi brothers).

Daniel joined the Navy on October 4, 2005 following in the footsteps of his grandfather and godfather.  His uncle Kelly Thomas said his nephew had the wisdom of someone twice his age and said Daniel wasn’t concerned about joining the Navy at the height of the Iraq War.  “He just thought about helping people, “Thomas said.  “He had a true spirit of giving”.

Daniel was originally hoping to join the Seabees, but broke a hand just before he was scheduled to start basic training.  After recuperating, there were no Seabee openings so he made a quick decision to become a corpsman which he loved. 

LCPL John P. of Kilo Battery wrote of Doc Noble after his passing:

” I am very proud to have served by his side he was a great man and friend one that would do anything for anyone to make them feel better. We the warriors of first platoon Kilo 3/12 miss you greatly but know that your in god’s kingdom now and wouldn’t want it any other way…you truly were a devil doc.  R.I.P. bro, I know I will see you again some day.”

Corporal Matthew Zindars, USMC: On July 24, 2007 CPL. Matthew Zindars was killed by an insurgent IED attack.  Cpl. Zindars was the gunner in the 4th vehicle of a 43 vehicle convoy.  The driver (Cpl Heath McRae) and driver’s side passenger (Doc Daniel Noble) were also killed.  The convoy was passing through the Diyala province of Iraq.

Cpl. Matthew Zindars, 21 is from the southern Wisconsin city of Watertown.  Matthew graduated from Watertown High School in 2004.  He joined the Marines at age 18 while he was still in school.

An outdoor-loving former football player, Cpl. Zindars liked snowboarding, rock climbing and hunting.  He also loved weight-lifting in his spare time.

His father Ken Zindars said his son was “the salt of the earth”.  “He was a great kid and never gave us any trouble”.  He said his son always wanted to be in the military and was “pretty proud to be a Marine.”

Matthew volunteered for a second tour in Iraq because all his Marine buddies were going back and he wanted to be there for them.

“Matthew said if they were going back, he was going to go with them,” his father said.  “They think of each other as brothers,” he said. “They eat together, sleep together and protect each other.  “They were very tight.”

“Zindars or Z…that’s what everyone here knew him as.  The type of guy who is everyone’s friend, got along with everyone.  Supported all of his comrades no matter what…damn good Marine above all.  He paid the ultimate sacrifice as did his family, friends, and comrades.  May his sacrifice resonate in every American’s heart and remind all of us that freedom is never free.  Semper Fi Devildog!!”

Stephens (Camp Pendelton, CA)

Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, USMC:  Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, USMC, 20, is from Louisville Kentucky.  He died on July 24 while performing convoy duty in the Diyala province of Iraq.

Robert graduated from Seneca High School in 2005 and school officials spoke highly of him.  “He was a hero for us,” Michael McWilliams, a counselor at Seneca, told The (Louisville) Courier-Journal.  He did a lot of things for us and a lot for our ROTC program.

“He’d tell me all the time, ‘Mom, I’m going over there to fight for you,,’ ” his mother, Angela Robinson, told WLKY-TV.

Lynch’s brother, Michael, also fought in Iraq.  “I would be honored to go the same way my brother went,”  Michael Lynch said.  “I’m so proud of him.”

“Robbie was a little bit of a jokester. He put a smile on your face, but when it came time to get something done, he was the first to jump in and stand shoulder to shoulder with you,” said retired Marine Col. Richard Maloney, who taught Lynch in ROTC courses at the school.

Mike Smith, pastor at Eastside Praise Ministry Center, said he baptized Lynch about a year and a half ago.  “He was so charming and kind,” Smith said. “There was a side of him that truly believed in what he was doing. He was convinced his life in this capacity was really going to make a difference.”

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on the day of Lynch’s funeral. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson issued a similar order through July 30.

“My Brother was the biggest Hero this REAL world has seen. He wanted to fight for our freedom, he asked to go on the mission he was on when he died. My bro always did what he had to do no matter the danger. I just want to tell everyone that the word ‘HERO’ is not used enough for the ones that don’t come home.”

He was our HERO on earth Now He’s God’s Hero.
Randall C. Lynch (brother)

Sources: 
Military City.COM http://www.militarycity.com/valor/2926917.html
Iraq-nam http://iraqnam.blogspot.com/2007/07/robert-lynch-dies-while-conducting.html
The Courier-Journal.com (Louisville, Kentucky) http://www.courier-journal.com
Wave3.com http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=6846603&nav=0RZF
Brotherhood in Arms http://www.brotherhoodinarms.org/casualties/lance-cpl-robert-a-lynch/
MilitaryTimes – http://www.militarycity.com/valor/2926918.html
JSOnline Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=638593
Mindfully.org – http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2007/Iraq-US-Deaths29jul07.htm
Legacy.com – http://www.legacy.com/JSOnline/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=91523835&PageNo=2
Spread the Word:  Iraq-Nam – http://iraqnam.blogspot.com/2007/07/matt-zindars-remembered.html
MilitaryTimes – http://www.militarycity.com/valor/2926918.html
JSOnline Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=638593
Mindfully.org – http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2007/Iraq-US-Deaths29jul07.htm
Legacy.com – http://www.legacy.com/JSOnline/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=91523835&PageNo=2
Spread the Word:  Iraq-Nam – http://iraqnam.blogspot.com/2007/07/matt-zindars-remembered.html

Graphics Acknowledgements:
The picture collage from this post is courtesy of Michelle at Chelle’s Designs. Used with permission. Michelle can be contacted at:  http://www.myspace.com/chellesmildesigns