Justin M. Ellsworth
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps
July 16, 1984 – November 13, 2004
Age – 20
Mt. Pleasant, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA
Killed when a homemade bomb struck the vehicle he was riding in
Justin was born in Lansing, MI and moved to Mt. Pleasant when he was 3 where he spent most of his youth. When Justin was a sophomore he moved to Colorado, but returned to Michigan for his senior year to be closer to family and graduate with his friends. Hobbies included anything outdoors, camping, hockey, baseball, soccer. He volunteered skiing for Vail Resorts for two years in Breckenridge. Ellsworth played on the defensive and offensive lines in Colorado, before returning to high school in MI.
“He was the kind of funny kid who came to football and worked hard,” said Royer, who was an assistant when Justin played. “I got along really well with him. He came in before he left and we had a real good talk. He said he was going back to Michigan and was going to join the Marines.” After his death, Summit High School retired Justin’s football jersey in his honor.
His mother Tracy Loveberry-Ross said, “He was so special, he was so caring, and he loved his family. If anyone needed a shoulder to lean on, he was it. One of his friends was having problems with a boyfriend and Justin would sit with her till her Mom came home so she wasn’t alone. One time while working on the Mountain at Breckenridge there was a little boy that became separated from his parents, Justin covered the entire mountain looking for that boy till he found him and returned him to his parents.”
Justin had always wanted to be a Marine. 911 had changed him when he thought his cousin was in the towers, although he didn’t find out till later she was not and she was safe. The economy was bad at the time and Justin was not a good student (he didn’t apply himself). He wanted to do something that made a difference so he decided to join the Marine Corp as a Combat Engineer. Lance Corporal Ellsworth, who was trained in handling explosives, was part of a reconnaissance force that helped to evacuate civilians from Fallujah.
He went to boot-camp in September 2003, then deployed to Iraq September 11, 2004 was a probability.” Once Justin was in the Middle East, lines of communication were excellent and she usually talked to him on the phone about once a week and more often via the internet.
He knew he was making a difference. “He told me the Iraqi people who he interacted with were wonderful and glad that (the Marines) were there, which made it all worthwhile for him. He loved the military. He enjoyed it and I know he told his dad he loved what he was doing and was having a lot of fun. I’ll always remember him as that happy boy who always wanted to make sure that everybody was happy and protected, who was always smiling and always wanted to make everybody comfortable.”
Bronze Star with V Device Citation
Lance Corporal Ellsworth’s selfless dedication and personal bravery in the face of grave danger were heroic. His sacrifice prevented the serious injury or loss of further life among his fellow Marines. Lance Corporal Ellsworth actions and service are deserving of recognition consistent with that of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device. His courageous actions and exceptional dedication reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as Combat Engineer, 2d Platoon, Company A, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II on 13 November 2004. While conducting a dismounted combat patrol, Lance Corporal Ellsworth, received an initial reading on his metal detector indicating the potential for a possible improvised explosive device. He realized that the potential explosive device was only 50 meters away from the patrol base and numerous Marines were in the near proximity, he immediately focused his efforts to identify and neutralize the threat to his unit. Demonstrating a complete disregard for his own personal welfare, he selflessly moved forward exposing himself to the potentially lethal effects of the explosive. Once Lance Corporal Ellsworth positively identified the location of the improvised explosive device, determined that it was not wired and it that it was in all probability a remote controlled device, he immediately sounded the warning for his fellow Marines to clear the area. Only seconds later, the improvised explosive device was detonated by the enemy mortally wounding Lance Corporal Ellsworth. There were a total of 11 Marines within 30 meters of the detonation, and another four Marines within 30 meters. Lance Corporal Ellsworth courage and decisive actions placed him in a position in which he absorbed the majority of the blast and prevented further loss of life or injury to the members of his team and platoon. By his zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Ellsworth reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.