SAUGUS, MA, USA U.S. Marines CPL, K CO, 3D BN, 8TH MAR, (2-28 BCT, I MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC AR RAMADI, IRAQ 04/02/2006
Scott Jonathan Procopio was a lifelong Saugus, MA resident and a 2003 graduate of Saugus High School. He celebrated his marriage to longtime sweetheart Kristal (Cerbone) Procopio on Sept. 15, 2005 just six months before his death. Kristal was a member of the Saugus High School Class of 2001. Besides his wife, Scott also leaves behind his parents, Kevin and Mary, his three brothers, Michael, Greg and Mark, and his two grandmothers.
Scott was a popular student at Saugus High School, where he was voted most eligible bachelor. He always wanted to be the best at whatever he did, and he just sat down and figured out what service was the best. His brother Michael said Scott decided to join the service in 2003, just eight months after he graduated from high school.
He walked straight into the recruitment office and he said, “You don’t have to give me any of your speeches.” He told them he wanted to sign up, and he wanted to sign up for the infantry, Michael said.
“Scott wanted to go into the service. He wanted to be an infantryman. He was excited and challenged by the opportunity to serve,” said Michael. Family and friends say Scott was truly committed to doing his part to bring about positive change in Iraq. “Scott always wanted the toughest job. He wanted the hardest service,” added his oldest brother, who called Scott “my best friend, my brother, and a Marine.”
Scott was a machine gunner on a team patrol in a Humvee in Ramadi when he was killed. Scott was promoted from the rank of lance corporal to corporal before departing for his second tour of duty. Scott was deployed to Iraq the first time in January 2005, returning to the states in August of 2005 with a chest full of ribbons, including several for valor in combat. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for his actions during the Abu Ghraib prison assault on April 2, 2005.
When Scott had free time on his hands, he liked to work on classic cars and trucks. He really enjoyed rebuilding quads and motorcycles with parts he found on eBay, then turning around and selling them for a profit. Eventually Scott started working on bigger vehicles. Michael said his brother spent many lazy afternoons mudding around the Vinegar Hill neighborhood in a Ford F250 pickup; and when he departed for the Marine Corps, he left a half-finished ’78 Camaro sitting in the family garage.
High School teacher Greg MacDonald had Scott as a student in both his U.S. history class junior year and his economics class senior year. MacDonald struck up a friendship with Scott and remained close to him after he graduated in 2003. Every time MacDonald saw a report of a Marine killed in action, he immediately thought of his former student. “The other day when I heard about the roadside bomb in the news I prayed that it wasn’t Scott who was killed, but it was,” MacDonald said. “I’m devastated – it’s tough to even talk about this.”
Scott’s oldest brother, Michael, said, “We’re all extremely proud of Scott. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we’re proud of the job he did.” “There’s no greater test of character than laying down your life for your country, and that’s what my brother did.”