GILROY, CA, USA U.S. Marines LCPL, K CO, 3D BN, 1ST MAR, RCT-1, 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA FALLUJAH, IRAQ 11/15/2004
U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jeramy Ailes, was killed by small arms fire on November 15, 2004 as U.S. forces battled Iraqi insurgents in the city of Fallujah. LCPL Ailes was one of many American servicemen killed during the weeks-long campaign to control the city. Jeramy was midway through his third year with the Marines and his second tour in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He had enlisted with several of his friends after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, just months after graduating from high school.
He was a fun-loving kid who liked to surprise his three sisters with a squirt from the backyard hose. An accomplished fisherman, Jeramy loved snowboarding, and once flew a plane solo. He won welding medals in school, and aimed to master the art of underwater welding after he returned home from military service.
After the twenty-two year old Marine arrived in Iraq, Jeramy Ailes wrote home asking for soccer balls to hand out to children. He worked hard to help those overseas. During his first tour of duty he gave away almost $300 to Iraqi families. He knew that his unit would be pushing into Fallujah, but had told his parents not to worry and that he looked forward to returning home to go fishing and snowboarding. Few had envisioned that the modest young man known for his infectious smile and great big heart would eventually tote a marine’s rifle. He became a medic for his unit and one of four soldiers in his battalion tapped for intense courses in Arabic and could read and speak the language. Once, Jeramy saw a little Iraqi girl struggling to carry a heavy bale of hay. Her father walked beside her. Appalled, Jeramy spoke in Arabic to the man, who took the hay from his daughter.