Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory E. MacDonald

Died June 25, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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29, of Washington, D.C.; assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Frederick, Md.; died when the light armored vehicle he was traveling in rolled over June 25 in Iraq.

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Gregory MacDonald loved books and classical guitar, and studied philosophy as an undergraduate. He earned his master’s degree at American University in 2001, with an eye toward a career in Middle Eastern affairs. To him, serving in the military was a way to gain credibility and experience in the field.

“He wanted to do foreign policy work, and he wanted to do it for the Middle East, and he wanted to create peace in the Middle East,” said Jeni Spevak, one of his closest friends.

He and six other Marines were traveling to help a U.S. unit under ambush when the road’s shoulder gave out. For his brother Matt MacDonald, there was at least some comfort in the way he died. “He died doing something meaningful,” the brother said. “He was going to aid other soldiers.”

— Associated Press