HASTINGS, PA, US
U.S. Marine Corps
SGT, 2D BN 6TH MAR,( RCT-7, I MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
03/27/2009, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Sergeant Derek Lee Shanfield was part of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In country only two weeks, he and another Marine were killed on June 8, 2010 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Derek and his twin brother joined the Marines in 2005. Both were stationed at Camp Lejeune, but in different units. A third brother had enlisted in the Marines in 2001. Derek had recently been promoted to Sergeant and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
For Derek, the Marine Corps was his true calling. He believed very strongly in what he was doing. He was a Marine Squad Leader. Derek was an amazing young man who rose quickly through the Marine ranks and was the picture of what Marines think that Marine-perfection should be.
As a graduate of Cambria High School, Hastings, Pennsylvania, Derek was recognized by both school staff and students as a clear and outstanding leader. He was academically strong and ranked near the top of his 2006 graduating class. Derek had the grades and aptitude to pursue any direction he might have chosen. He was driven honors student who accomplished what he set out to do.
Derek was a loving son and the youngest of two sisters and the three boys. Derek’s thoughtfulness and humor helped his family greatly when his brother deployed to Iraq. It was his way of helping his family ease the absence of a family member.