U.S. Department of Defense

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

News Release IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 102-11

February 07, 2011



DOD Identifies Marine Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Corporal Lucas T. Pyeatt, 24, of West Chester, Ohio, died Feb 5, 2011, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the II Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at 910-451-7200. 17 February 2011: A funeral was held today for a local Marine who was killed in action earlier this month in Afghanistan. The funeral for Corporal Lucas Pyeatt began at 10 a.m. Saturday morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Liberty Township. The church is located at 7118 Dutchland Parkway. The public was invited to pay their respects. Pyeatt will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on February 28, 2011. Corporal Pyeatt was assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. According to his father's Facebook Page, Lucas was lost in action near Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Saturday morning, February 5th, 2011. Family members of Lucas say that he wanted to make the military his career but it was cut short. According to his sister, Emily, Lucas was part of a military family. Their father was in the Air Force for 30 years. Lucas' father, Scott Pyeatt said about his son's death: "A proud Marine, Luke loved his family, friends and Marine Brothers and Sisters and would want us to remember all the good times and hard times we had together. God bless you, and please don't forget the sacrifices all these outstanding young women and men are making on behalf of our country." Friends and family said that Lucas was also an amazing musician. 20 February 2011: The local community mourned Marine Corporal Lucas T. Pyeatt of West Chester, who was killed earlier this month while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, during a funeral Saturday, Febtuary 19, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in Liberty Township. While the service mourned Pyeatts death, it also celebrated his life. I dont know if he ever believed there was anything he couldnt do if he tried his best, said Cathy Clore, who led Pyeatts Cub Scout den when he was nine years old. He spent three months in language training in preparation of being sent to Russia as an LDS missionary. But he was sent home from Russia when severe pain developed in an ankle because of a weakening of the bone. The ankle problem later hampered him in Marine boot camp. But because of his Russian language skills, he was assigned to become a linguist. He could have taken a medical discharge from the Marines, said Paul Tammen, a retired Marine and a friend of the Pyeatts who spoke at the service. He could have quit, but he didnt. After the service, Marine Corporal Scott Marlin talked about his friendship with Pyeatt. Marlin was among a number of Marines who came from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where Pyeatts battalion is based, to attend the memorial service. He was really a great guy, compassionate beyond belief, Marlin said. If you had a problem, he would help you with it, regardless of what it was. Near the end of her eulogy, Clore addressed her former Cub Scout. You will always be with us, she said. We have our memories of you and our love for you which can never be taken from us. 22 February 2011: Marine Corporal. Lucas Pyeatt  a Latter-day Saint, Eagle Scout and Marine  was recently honored in two Cincinnati.com articles following his death in Afghanistan on February 5, 2011. In one article, friends and family members remembered how 24-year-old Payeatt 'took service seriously.' His sister, Emily Smalley, said he served as a Marine because of his strong desire to protect his country, and a high school friend, Bryan Call, said Pyeatt's example inspired him to earn his Eagle Scout Award and serve a mission. In a second article about the Feb. 19 funeral service for Pyeatt, Marine Corporal. Scott Marlin spoke about his friendship with Pyeatt, saying he was "compassionate beyond belief." Near the end of her eulogy, Pyeatt's Cub Scout den leader, Cathy Clore, said of Pyeatt, "You will always be with us. We have our memories of you and our love for you which can never be taken from us."

The horse drawn caisson goes to the grave site of U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt during burial services at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, February 28, 2011

The casket team carries the casket of U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt during burial services at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, February 28, 2011

A U.S. Marine casket team folds a flag that covered the casket of U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt during a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery February 28, 2011

The last of three volleys are fired during funeral services for U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt at Arlington National Cemetery in Monday, February 28, 2011



Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant. William J. Dixon, right, delivers condolences to the Pyeatt family, from left, Cynthia Pyeatt, her husband Lon Pyeatt,

and their daughter Emily Smalley, during funeral services for their son U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, February 28, 2011

Cynthia Pyeatt, left, and her husband Lon Pyeatt receive condolences from former Marine Commandant General Al Gray during funeral services for their son,

U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt, at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, February 28, 2011

Cynthia Pyeatt stands over the casket of her son U.S. Marine Sergeant Lucas T. Pyeatt during a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery February 28, 2011

PYEATT, LUCAS TODD

SGT US MARINE CORPS

AFGHANISTAN

DATE OF BIRTH: 03/05/1986

DATE OF DEATH: 02/05/2011

BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 9605

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Webmaster: Michael Robert Patterson

Posted: 12 April 2011 Updated: 23 April 2011





































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































