As told by his mother.

My son Anthony was very honest, brave, and a friend to all. He was smart as a child, made friends easily. He was also very protective of his family and friends. His teen years were typical; Anthony enjoyed being with friends, dirt bike riding, camping, and being with family.

It was the 9-11 attacks that inspired him to serve. He stated it was a new chapter in his life. He chose to serve to be the best he could be. Anthony wanted to see the world. He wanted to do more with his life and joined the US Marines to be his best. He has many friends who will remember him always and still stand by the family in his honor. He had plans for his life after the Marines. He always planned ahead and reached his goals. Anyone who knew Anthony and became his friend stayed friends with him forever. He was brave, and if he had to do it again to save a brother, he would do it.

A true hero until the end, Anthony was killed when his unit was ambushed in Afghanistan. He was the only one who passed on the battlefield that day. His Marine brothers said if it wasn’t for Anthony, they wouldn’t have made it home.