Marine Capt. Eric D. Terhune

Died June 19, 2008 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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34, of Lexington, Ky.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 19 while conducting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Andrew F. Whitacre.

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Family remembers Marine killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Marine from Lexington who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan was remembered by family for his love of God, family and country.

Capt. Eric Daniel Terhune, 34, enlisted in the Marines right out of high school. His father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather also served in the armed forces.

Although a recent injury kept Terhune from flying, his family said he was eager to serve on the front lines.

“He was in the very best sense of the word, an officer, and a gentleman and a patriot,” said his uncle, David Terhune. “I always admired his strength and his power, but he was also gentle at the same time.”

Military officials said Terhune died Thursday while conducting a security patrol. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Terhune’s grandfather, Daniel Terhune, told WKYT-TV that his grandson told him not to worry.

“He said ‘If I live, wonderful, but if I die, it’s absent from the body and present with the Lord,” Daniel Terhune said.

Funeral services for Terhune are scheduled for Saturday at Anchor Baptist Church in Lexington. He will be buried at Camp Nelson Cemetery.

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Hundreds mourn Kentucky Marine at funeral

The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — More than 400 people packed a funeral service for Marine Capt. Eric Terhune, a 34-year-old Lexington resident killed in Afghanistan.

His uncle, David Terhune, told the crowded church that the Marine Corps was “a major theme in Eric’s life.”

Terhune was killed June 19 in Farah Province along with Lance Cpl. Andrew Francis Whitacre, of Bryant, Ind., while on a security patrol.

He had already served two tours of duty in Iraq when he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.

He was the son and grandson of Marines and was even “born a Marine” at Quantico Naval Hospital, where his father was stationed.