St. Anthony, Idaho, resident Lance Corporal Dustin Birch, was killed in a action June 9, he was who was serving with the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, based at Gowen Field in Boise. Birch, 22 and the oldest of four children, was taking part in combat operations near Haqlaniyah, Iraq. He and his unit were on patrol in a tank when they came under fire and their tank was disabled. They returned fire, and were able to disembark the crippled tank and board a Humvee, which subsequently struck a land mine. Dustin Birch signed up for the Marine Corp before he was even out of high school, the summer of 2000.Paul Birch, father of Dustin Birch says his son was goal oriented and a squared away young man, I don't know a better way to explain it. He was excited about life and making things happen, He was proud to be in the Marine Corp.The funeral for Lance Corporal Dustin Birch was held in his hometown of St. Anthony on June 17. An uncle said "The family is just overwhelmed by the support shown by the community, by the military, by the church. The outpouring of support and love is just overwhelming to all of us, and we just can't say 'thank you' enough to the community."Dustin Birch was given full military honors for his service to the United States Marine Corps.Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to Corporal Birch’s family in St. Anthony over this tragic loss, and I commend Dustin for his service to our country in Iraq. Dustin’s service and bravery are an example for all of us who cherish our freedoms. His is a tremendous loss for his family, his circle of loved ones in St. Anthony and all Idahoans.”
St. Anthony, Idaho, resident Lance Corporal Dustin Birch, was killed in a action June 9, he was who was serving with the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, based at Gowen Field in Boise. Birch, 22 and the oldest of four children, was taking part in combat operations near Haqlaniyah, Iraq. He and his unit were on patrol in a tank when they came under fire and their tank was disabled. They returned fire, and were able to disembark the crippled tank and board a Humvee, which subsequently struck a land mine. Dustin Birch signed up for the Marine Corp before he was even out of high school, the summer of 2000.Paul Birch, father of Dustin Birch says his son was goal oriented and a squared away young man, I don't know a better way to explain it. He was excited about life and making things happen, He was proud to be in the Marine Corp.The funeral for Lance Corporal Dustin Birch was held in his hometown of St. Anthony on June 17. An uncle said "The family is just overwhelmed by the support shown by the community, by the military, by the church. The outpouring of support and love is just overwhelming to all of us, and we just can't say 'thank you' enough to the community."Dustin Birch was given full military honors for his service to the United States Marine Corps.Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to Corporal Birch’s family in St. Anthony over this tragic loss, and I commend Dustin for his service to our country in Iraq. Dustin’s service and bravery are an example for all of us who cherish our freedoms. His is a tremendous loss for his family, his circle of loved ones in St. Anthony and all Idahoans.”
