Dave M Santos

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ROTA, MP, US

U.S. Marine Corps

CPL, 2D BN 6TH MAR, (RCT-7, I MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC

10/03/2009, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

Marine Corporal Dave M. Santos Died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Cpl Santos was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His unit was supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Cpl Santos was at the beginning of a 10 month deployment to Afghanistan.

Twenty-one years old Dave Santos was from Rota, Marianas Islands in the Pacific. The Northern Mariana Islands, considered part of the Micronesia region, are located in the South Pacific, north of Guam. Dave Santos joined the Marines after graduating in 2007 from Rota High School. His participation in the school’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps inspired him to enlist in the military.

The son of a family with generations represented in the US military. He was the oldest brother to two sisters and a brother. Dave had always wanted to be a Marine and he loved being part of the Marine Corps. He was married to a local Marianas Island girl and had a three-year old toddler son.

Rep. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota) introduced a Commemorative Resolution 17-5 conveying condolences to the Santos family and honoring the late Marine for his service to the nation. The resolution reads: “The late Corporal Dave Michael Maliksi Santos’ courage, determination, and undying will to fight for the freedom of his country and its people will forever be remembered by the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, most especially the people of his beloved home, Rota. He will also be remembered by his family, colleagues, friends and acquaintances as a hardworking family man, a dedicated member of the armed forces, and most importantly a great person.”

Dave’s portrait is also on Poster 10