David P. Day
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
November 13, 1984 – April 24, 2011
Age – 26
Gaylord, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, NC
Killed after Afghan National Army requested Day’s assistance in neutralizing a pressure plate improvised explosive device. The device detonated before he could disarm the IED.
Born in Littleton, CO, and a 2003 graduate of Gaylord High School, Gaylord, MI, Staff Sergeant David Day enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 2003.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 9, 2003 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California in December 2003. In February 2004, Staff Sergeant Day graduated from the School of Infantry with the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of Rifleman. Staff Sergeant Day then went to the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Platoon (RIP) at 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.
Upon completion of RIP, he attended the Basic Reconnaissance Course in Coronado, California. After graduating, he completed Basic Airborne and Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School before receiving orders for 3D Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. Staff Sergeant Day deployed to Iraq with Alpha Company, 3D Reconnaissance Battalion in March 2005. Upon return from this deployment he was assigned to the Deep Reconnaissance Platoon on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), completing two deployments with this platoon.
After returning from the 31st MEU, Staff Sergeant Day deployed to Iraq for a second time with Alpha Company as a Team Leader, earning the Reconnaissance Team Leader of the Year Award. Staff Sergeant Day made a lateral move to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in February 2009, graduating from Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal on October 25, 2009. Upon completion of school, Staff Sergeant Day transferred to 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion. He deployed to Afghanistan with Fox Company (MSOC F) in November 2010.
While conducting a brief with Team 1, Fox Company, on April 24, 2011, the on-site Afghan National Army requested SSgt. Day’s assistance in neutralizing a pressure plate improvised explosive device. The device detonated before SSgt. Day could disarm the IED.
SSgt. Day’s personal decorations include a Bronze Star with combat V, Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, and two Good Conduct Medals. SSgt. Day was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant on April 24, 2011.