FERNDALE, WA, US
U.S. Marine Corps
CAPT, HMH-363, MAG-24, (2D MAW, II MEF FWD) 1ST MAW, KANEOHE BAY, HI
01/19/2012, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Captain Bartle’s strong work ethic, love of laughter, and humility made him adored and admired by all those who were fortunate enough to have known him. Daniel enjoyed traveling, snowboarding, kite surfing, power lifting and listening to music. CPT Bartle was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, 2006 where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Spanish, which he spoke fluently.
Family, teachers, classmates and fellow military personnel spoke about a man described again and again as strong, brave and, above all, selfless. Pat Skaggs, a Ferndale High School math teacher, recalled the student he knew: a scrawny, lovably awkward kid who always seemed to have the right answer. Skaggs met Daniel in Room 403 at Ferndale High, when he was a 14-year-old wearing big glasses, with a strap to keep them from falling off. “He took this bright yellow geometry textbook from me, opened it up, leafed through it, looked up the name of the publisher,” Skaggs explained. “And (he) says, with absolute seriousness, ‘I’ve always been impressed with Addison-Wesley math books.’ Wow.”
At the US Naval Academy,CPT Bartle was known for his rugged, disciplined character but also his gentle and generous side. According to friend Navy LT Kevin Lind, Daniel saved the $100 monthly stipends he earned at the academy to buy birthday presents for his nephews and nieces. Lind added, Captain Bartle was an incredible friend who never wanted to be the center of attention, never wanted to be a burden, but was always willing to lend a hand.
At the public ceremony Captain Bartle’s brother-in-law, John Davis, thanked the Bellingham and Ferndale communities for honoring the fallen Marine. “The overwhelming show of support has restored my faith in humanity.”
The Bartle family wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Ferndale and Bellingham communities for their support, prayers and condolences during our time of grieving for our son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Captain Daniel Bartle, USMC. We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such caring and compassionate people, and your expressions of love and gestures of friendship will never be forgotten.