A question about a fallen Soldier.

[Hillbilly77]

I have a question about a fallen Soldier.

I don't know all of the details of his service.
I vaguely knew him in high school. After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corp. He achieved the rank of Sergeant as a Marine. He finished his enlistment and left the Corp. in late 2003.
Soon after that, he joined the NY Army National Gaurd. I don't know what rank he held there.
He was deployed to Iraq in 2004, where he was KIA.

Around his hometown, there are several signs, posters, bumper stickers, etc. that memorialize him as a Marine Corp. Sergeant.

My question is this:
If he was technically in the Army when he gave his life for our country, why is he memorialized as a Marine and not a Soldier?

It's not a big deal to me one way or another. He gave his life for our country and it makes no difference what uniform he had on when he died.
I was just curious and wondered if some of our military here could shed some light on it.

Thanks.
Hillbilly

 

[shouldazagged]

I wonder if his survivors might have been given the choice which way to commemorate his service.

In any case, may he rest in honored peace.

 

[carpriver]

Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

 

[cowart]

"Once a Marine, always a Marine!"

The official motto of the Marine Corps League.

 

[bishopm14]

Really doesn't make any difference, but it would bug me as well.
Right or wrong, there are those who would probably much rather be remembered as a Marine than "Name of State Here Army National Guard."
If his ANG gig was anything like mine, he might have been kicking himself every day for making the switch.
Myself, having come from an active duty Parachute Infantry unit and then deploying with the Guard, I hoped like crazy that nothing happened while I was deployed so I wasn't remembered as an ANG guy. I can imagine the transition from Marine to ANG was just as bad, or worse.

 

[OFT II]

The important thing is that he is being remembered.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

ANG is a part time job. A Marine will stay a Marine. He will not die, He will just go to hell to meet his buddies and re-group. Once a Marine......Always a Marine. I almost hitched with the ANG for the sign on bonus and extra $$. But if I had passed, I would want to be remembered as a Marine....

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

ALWAYS