Marine Sgt. Joshua J. Frazier

Died February 6, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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24, of Spotsylvania, Va.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 6 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq.

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Marine from Spotsylvania killed by sniper in Iraq

The Associated Press

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. — A Spotsylvania County Marine who volunteered for a third tour in Iraq has been killed by a sniper’s bullet in volatile Anbar province, family members and the Pentagon said.

Joshua J. Frazier, 24, was recently promoted to sergeant and had been scheduled to return from Iraq in April. He re-upped, relatives said, because he didn’t want to leave the young Marines he was now leading.

Frazier was shot and killed late Feb. 5 — one day after he told his mother by telephone about his promotion and his plan to extend his stay, family members said.

“He was upbeat,” Shelia Cutshall said. “I told him I missed him, and he said he missed me, too.”

Frazier was based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., a Defense Department statement said. He left for his second deployment to Iraq in September.

The Spotsylvania High graduate was known for his big handshake and warm smile.

“He was so full of life and energy and so passionate about so many things,” said Michelle Luehrs, a friend since grade school.

Aaron Mallin — Frazier’s older brother — said Josh once said his unit was serving in an Iraqi city that had, some said, the most dangerous intersection in the world.

But after Frazier and his fellow Marines moved in, he told Mallin, people could once again cross the street without fear.