Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Scherry

Died April 16, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Rocky River, Ohio; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 16 from a nonhostile accident in Anbar province.

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Cleveland-area Marine killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — A Marine who died in what the Pentagon called a nonhostile accident in Iraq always dreamed of joining the Corps, his family said in a statement.

The Pentagon didn’t elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the death of Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Scherry, 20, of Rocky River, except to say he died April 16 in Anbar province, where insurgents have been active west of Baghdad.

Scherry was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

His family asked for privacy but released a written statement April 17 saying “Danny” loved football and the Marines.

“Service in the Marines was his lifelong dream,” the family said. “In his short tenure with the Marines, he received two promotions and was looked up to by members of his battalion.”

His football coach at Rocky River High School in suburban Cleveland said Scherry could have played the sport in college. Scherry played strong safety on defense and running back on offense.

“He was a standout player ... tough and straightforward. You always knew where he stood,” coach Ron Lewis said. “But if you scratched the surface a little, you would find he would do anything for you. He would be there for you.”

Scherry graduated from high school in 2005.

“He was always clear about going into the military,” Lewis said. “He looked like a Marine. He acted like a Marine.”

Funeral arrangements were pending.