The identities of all four US Marines killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Thursday have been released. On Friday, the Marine Corps issued a statement:
It is with deep regret and heartfelt sorrow that the Marine Corps can officially confirm that the following Marines were killed on July 16, 2015, at the combined Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee:Among the fallen were highly decorated combat veterans (Gunnery Sgt. Sullivan) and newly enlisted recruits (Lance Cpl. Wells) -- although all four men in uniform were active-duty service members. And while entitled to US government benefits as a result of their active-duty status, that alone cannot assuage the pain and grief of their families. On Friday, Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin gave a moving rundown of who these men were, and why their deaths will be so keenly felt by their families, their unit, and the nation at large. Follow the link above to watch the clip.Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan (USMC) of Hampden, Massachusetts
Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt (USMC) of Burke, North Carolina
Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist (USMC) of Polk, Wisconsin
Lance Cpl. Squire K. Wells (USMCR) of Cobb, Georgia
So terribly, terribly sad. God bless these brave men -- and their families.
UPDATE: Just awful:
The U.S. Navy says a sailor who was shot in the attack on a military facility in Chattanooga has died, raising the death toll to five people. ...The Navy statement did not give the sailor's name. He was identified by family as Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, a reservist serving on active duty in Chattanooga.