Christian D Gurtner

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OHIO CITY, OH, USA U.S. Marines PFC, 3D LAR BN, MAGTFTC, TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA IRAQ 04/02/2003

Marine Private First Class Christian Daniel Gurtner, 19, Van Wert, Ohio, was killed April 2, 2003, when his own automatic weapon accidentally discharged, striking him in the chest in Iraq. He died of cardiac arrest.

Christian left for Marine service the same month he graduated from Van Wert High School in 2002. “He was a typical Marine,” said Staff Sgt. Eryck Little, who recruited Christian. “He was young, motivated, hard-charging. He was the type of guy who stepped up to the plate to a challenge.”

Christian was proud of his service in the military and believed in what he was doing. He wanted the Iraqis to have the same privileges that we have in America.

Christian loved bowling, the Atlanta Braves, and Ohio State football. He loved to laugh and stir things up, too. He had a special smile that meant trouble anytime you saw it.

He was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Regiment of the 1st Marine Division and had a 6-month-old daughter.

Christian’s portrait is also located on Poster 6