Son of James 'Jim' & Shirley Huston Sr...Brother of Matthew (in Navy), Shane & Shannon..."Died in a vehicle accident while his unit was responding to 'hostile action' in Al Anbar Province"...Articles: 'Hermiston Marine killed' by Associated Press & Herald Staff, Tri-City Herald, Tri-Cities (Kennewick) WA, 6 July 2004, Front Page & 'Brother remembers Hermiston Marine' by Jeannine Koranda, 7 July 2004, Front Page; 'Briefs' "Oregon Gov. Kulongoski to attend Marine's funeral" 8 July 2004, Page B1; "Soldier's Tribute" by Jeannine Koranda, 11 July 2004 Front Page.
Hermiston Marine dies in Iraq
Published Jul. 6 2004 - Oregonian
A 22-year-old Marine from Hermiston who loved hunting, hard rock music and science-fiction fantasy drawings has died in an accident in Iraq. Lance Cpl. James B. Huston Jr. drowned Friday morning, Iraqi time, after his Humvee slid into a canal, flipped over and pinned him underneath. Huston, the gunner atop the Humvee, and his unit were on their way to secure the site of an explosion in Anbar province, his family said. Huston's parents, Jim and Shirley Huston of Hermiston, learned of their son's death with a knock on the door Friday.
"We're all very proud of him," Huston's cousin, Cherie Huston, said from his parents home Monday. "Uncle Jim is pretty devastated. "It really hasn't sunk in yet that he's really gone," she said, her voice cracking. "I guess I just won't believe it until I see it."
James Huston was the sixth Marine to die in the past month in Anbar province, a Sunni-dominated area west of the Iraqi capital that has been a hotbed of anti-U.S. resistance. More than 850 U.S. service members have died since in March 2003, the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the U.S. Defense Department. Huston is the 25th soldier -- along with two civilian contractors -- with Oregon connections killed in the Iraq war. One Oregon soldier died in Afghanistan. Huston graduated in 2000 from Hermiston High School, where he was involved with 4-H. After graduation, he worked for his father's excavating company, operating a jack hammer, among other tasks.
Huston decided to join the Marines in June 2001 but waited until October to enlist so he wouldn't miss the archery hunting season. He learned from his father how to stalk elk and deer. Huston returned home for Christmas leave last year.
But before he left California's Camp Pendleton, Huston's commanders told the company to get their affairs in order "because some of them would not be coming home," Cherie Huston said.
Huston tried to reassure his parents when he shipped out.
"Think of all of the married Marines with kids," he wrote his parents. "Not some punk like me."
In April, Huston told an embedded newspaper reporter that he didn't expect such heavy fighting in Iraq, according to a report in the North County Times of Southern California. "Not like this," he told the reporter as he sat in a sandbagged pit covered in flies and battle gear. "This is crazy."
Huston's military picture shows a lantern-jawed, clean-shaven solider. But Cherie Huston said her cousin was a snowboarder who wore short brown hair with the tips dyed blond.
Cherie Huston said she will remember her cousin for all the times he played with her children.
"They loved him," she said.
Huston liked to draw science-fiction fantasy pictures -- like artist Boris Vallejo -- and listen to hard rock bands Pantera and Slayer.
"The harder the better," Cherie Huston said.
But Huston never revealed much about himself, even with his closest friends and family, Cherie Huston said.
"James was a very private, quiet soul," said Cherie Huston, a baby sitter and diaper-changer when her cousin was young.
Huston's family gathered at his parents house over the weekend. In addition to his parents, Huston is survived by his brothers, Matthew, 21, of the U.S. Navy and Shane, 33, of Newberg; and sister, Shannon Huston Davis, 36, of Galax, Va. Huston's body was flown on Saturday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His family hasn't made plans for his memorial service.
Huston had been awarded several honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal and the Armed Forces expeditionary medal. He was scheduled to return home in October, Cherie Huston said.
In a letter home, Huston told his family he was tired of the fighting and ready to hunt again, she said.
He already had planned his next hunting trip with his father.
Hermiston Marine dies in Iraq
Published Jul. 6 2004 - Oregonian
A 22-year-old Marine from Hermiston who loved hunting, hard rock music and science-fiction fantasy drawings has died in an accident in Iraq. Lance Cpl. James B. Huston Jr. drowned Friday morning, Iraqi time, after his Humvee slid into a canal, flipped over and pinned him underneath. Huston, the gunner atop the Humvee, and his unit were on their way to secure the site of an explosion in Anbar province, his family said. Huston's parents, Jim and Shirley Huston of Hermiston, learned of their son's death with a knock on the door Friday.
"We're all very proud of him," Huston's cousin, Cherie Huston, said from his parents home Monday. "Uncle Jim is pretty devastated. "It really hasn't sunk in yet that he's really gone," she said, her voice cracking. "I guess I just won't believe it until I see it."
James Huston was the sixth Marine to die in the past month in Anbar province, a Sunni-dominated area west of the Iraqi capital that has been a hotbed of anti-U.S. resistance. More than 850 U.S. service members have died since in March 2003, the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the U.S. Defense Department. Huston is the 25th soldier -- along with two civilian contractors -- with Oregon connections killed in the Iraq war. One Oregon soldier died in Afghanistan. Huston graduated in 2000 from Hermiston High School, where he was involved with 4-H. After graduation, he worked for his father's excavating company, operating a jack hammer, among other tasks.
Huston decided to join the Marines in June 2001 but waited until October to enlist so he wouldn't miss the archery hunting season. He learned from his father how to stalk elk and deer. Huston returned home for Christmas leave last year.
But before he left California's Camp Pendleton, Huston's commanders told the company to get their affairs in order "because some of them would not be coming home," Cherie Huston said.
Huston tried to reassure his parents when he shipped out.
"Think of all of the married Marines with kids," he wrote his parents. "Not some punk like me."
In April, Huston told an embedded newspaper reporter that he didn't expect such heavy fighting in Iraq, according to a report in the North County Times of Southern California. "Not like this," he told the reporter as he sat in a sandbagged pit covered in flies and battle gear. "This is crazy."
Huston's military picture shows a lantern-jawed, clean-shaven solider. But Cherie Huston said her cousin was a snowboarder who wore short brown hair with the tips dyed blond.
Cherie Huston said she will remember her cousin for all the times he played with her children.
"They loved him," she said.
Huston liked to draw science-fiction fantasy pictures -- like artist Boris Vallejo -- and listen to hard rock bands Pantera and Slayer.
"The harder the better," Cherie Huston said.
But Huston never revealed much about himself, even with his closest friends and family, Cherie Huston said.
"James was a very private, quiet soul," said Cherie Huston, a baby sitter and diaper-changer when her cousin was young.
Huston's family gathered at his parents house over the weekend. In addition to his parents, Huston is survived by his brothers, Matthew, 21, of the U.S. Navy and Shane, 33, of Newberg; and sister, Shannon Huston Davis, 36, of Galax, Va. Huston's body was flown on Saturday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His family hasn't made plans for his memorial service.
Huston had been awarded several honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal and the Armed Forces expeditionary medal. He was scheduled to return home in October, Cherie Huston said.
In a letter home, Huston told his family he was tired of the fighting and ready to hunt again, she said.
He already had planned his next hunting trip with his father.
Son of James 'Jim' & Shirley Huston Sr...Brother of Matthew (in Navy), Shane & Shannon..."Died in a vehicle accident while his unit was responding to 'hostile action' in Al Anbar Province"...Articles: 'Hermiston Marine killed' by Associated Press & Herald Staff, Tri-City Herald, Tri-Cities (Kennewick) WA, 6 July 2004, Front Page & 'Brother remembers Hermiston Marine' by Jeannine Koranda, 7 July 2004, Front Page; 'Briefs' "Oregon Gov. Kulongoski to attend Marine's funeral" 8 July 2004, Page B1; "Soldier's Tribute" by Jeannine Koranda, 11 July 2004 Front Page.
Hermiston Marine dies in Iraq
Published Jul. 6 2004 - Oregonian
A 22-year-old Marine from Hermiston who loved hunting, hard rock music and science-fiction fantasy drawings has died in an accident in Iraq. Lance Cpl. James B. Huston Jr. drowned Friday morning, Iraqi time, after his Humvee slid into a canal, flipped over and pinned him underneath. Huston, the gunner atop the Humvee, and his unit were on their way to secure the site of an explosion in Anbar province, his family said. Huston's parents, Jim and Shirley Huston of Hermiston, learned of their son's death with a knock on the door Friday.
"We're all very proud of him," Huston's cousin, Cherie Huston, said from his parents home Monday. "Uncle Jim is pretty devastated. "It really hasn't sunk in yet that he's really gone," she said, her voice cracking. "I guess I just won't believe it until I see it."
James Huston was the sixth Marine to die in the past month in Anbar province, a Sunni-dominated area west of the Iraqi capital that has been a hotbed of anti-U.S. resistance. More than 850 U.S. service members have died since in March 2003, the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the U.S. Defense Department. Huston is the 25th soldier -- along with two civilian contractors -- with Oregon connections killed in the Iraq war. One Oregon soldier died in Afghanistan. Huston graduated in 2000 from Hermiston High School, where he was involved with 4-H. After graduation, he worked for his father's excavating company, operating a jack hammer, among other tasks.
Huston decided to join the Marines in June 2001 but waited until October to enlist so he wouldn't miss the archery hunting season. He learned from his father how to stalk elk and deer. Huston returned home for Christmas leave last year.
But before he left California's Camp Pendleton, Huston's commanders told the company to get their affairs in order "because some of them would not be coming home," Cherie Huston said.
Huston tried to reassure his parents when he shipped out.
"Think of all of the married Marines with kids," he wrote his parents. "Not some punk like me."
In April, Huston told an embedded newspaper reporter that he didn't expect such heavy fighting in Iraq, according to a report in the North County Times of Southern California. "Not like this," he told the reporter as he sat in a sandbagged pit covered in flies and battle gear. "This is crazy."
Huston's military picture shows a lantern-jawed, clean-shaven solider. But Cherie Huston said her cousin was a snowboarder who wore short brown hair with the tips dyed blond.
Cherie Huston said she will remember her cousin for all the times he played with her children.
"They loved him," she said.
Huston liked to draw science-fiction fantasy pictures -- like artist Boris Vallejo -- and listen to hard rock bands Pantera and Slayer.
"The harder the better," Cherie Huston said.
But Huston never revealed much about himself, even with his closest friends and family, Cherie Huston said.
"James was a very private, quiet soul," said Cherie Huston, a baby sitter and diaper-changer when her cousin was young.
Huston's family gathered at his parents house over the weekend. In addition to his parents, Huston is survived by his brothers, Matthew, 21, of the U.S. Navy and Shane, 33, of Newberg; and sister, Shannon Huston Davis, 36, of Galax, Va. Huston's body was flown on Saturday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His family hasn't made plans for his memorial service.
Huston had been awarded several honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal and the Armed Forces expeditionary medal. He was scheduled to return home in October, Cherie Huston said.
In a letter home, Huston told his family he was tired of the fighting and ready to hunt again, she said.
He already had planned his next hunting trip with his father.
Hermiston Marine dies in Iraq
Published Jul. 6 2004 - Oregonian
A 22-year-old Marine from Hermiston who loved hunting, hard rock music and science-fiction fantasy drawings has died in an accident in Iraq. Lance Cpl. James B. Huston Jr. drowned Friday morning, Iraqi time, after his Humvee slid into a canal, flipped over and pinned him underneath. Huston, the gunner atop the Humvee, and his unit were on their way to secure the site of an explosion in Anbar province, his family said. Huston's parents, Jim and Shirley Huston of Hermiston, learned of their son's death with a knock on the door Friday.
"We're all very proud of him," Huston's cousin, Cherie Huston, said from his parents home Monday. "Uncle Jim is pretty devastated. "It really hasn't sunk in yet that he's really gone," she said, her voice cracking. "I guess I just won't believe it until I see it."
James Huston was the sixth Marine to die in the past month in Anbar province, a Sunni-dominated area west of the Iraqi capital that has been a hotbed of anti-U.S. resistance. More than 850 U.S. service members have died since in March 2003, the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the U.S. Defense Department. Huston is the 25th soldier -- along with two civilian contractors -- with Oregon connections killed in the Iraq war. One Oregon soldier died in Afghanistan. Huston graduated in 2000 from Hermiston High School, where he was involved with 4-H. After graduation, he worked for his father's excavating company, operating a jack hammer, among other tasks.
Huston decided to join the Marines in June 2001 but waited until October to enlist so he wouldn't miss the archery hunting season. He learned from his father how to stalk elk and deer. Huston returned home for Christmas leave last year.
But before he left California's Camp Pendleton, Huston's commanders told the company to get their affairs in order "because some of them would not be coming home," Cherie Huston said.
Huston tried to reassure his parents when he shipped out.
"Think of all of the married Marines with kids," he wrote his parents. "Not some punk like me."
In April, Huston told an embedded newspaper reporter that he didn't expect such heavy fighting in Iraq, according to a report in the North County Times of Southern California. "Not like this," he told the reporter as he sat in a sandbagged pit covered in flies and battle gear. "This is crazy."
Huston's military picture shows a lantern-jawed, clean-shaven solider. But Cherie Huston said her cousin was a snowboarder who wore short brown hair with the tips dyed blond.
Cherie Huston said she will remember her cousin for all the times he played with her children.
"They loved him," she said.
Huston liked to draw science-fiction fantasy pictures -- like artist Boris Vallejo -- and listen to hard rock bands Pantera and Slayer.
"The harder the better," Cherie Huston said.
But Huston never revealed much about himself, even with his closest friends and family, Cherie Huston said.
"James was a very private, quiet soul," said Cherie Huston, a baby sitter and diaper-changer when her cousin was young.
Huston's family gathered at his parents house over the weekend. In addition to his parents, Huston is survived by his brothers, Matthew, 21, of the U.S. Navy and Shane, 33, of Newberg; and sister, Shannon Huston Davis, 36, of Galax, Va. Huston's body was flown on Saturday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. His family hasn't made plans for his memorial service.
Huston had been awarded several honors, including the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal and the Armed Forces expeditionary medal. He was scheduled to return home in October, Cherie Huston said.
In a letter home, Huston told his family he was tired of the fighting and ready to hunt again, she said.
He already had planned his next hunting trip with his father.
