Fallen Heroes: What we know about the four men who gave all for their country

Stephanie Rhoades holds her son Peyton during a prayer vigil at Redemption Point Church on Thursday, July 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil followed a shooting at both the Lee Highway Armed Forces Career Center and the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway which left five dead, including the shooter, and a Chattanooga police officer wounded.
Stephanie Rhoades holds her son Peyton during a prayer vigil at Redemption Point Church on Thursday, July 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil followed a shooting at both the Lee Highway Armed Forces Career Center and the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway which left five dead, including the shooter, and a Chattanooga police officer wounded.
photo Mourners arrive at the home of Cathy Wells, the mother of Skip Wells, one of the four Marines killed in Thursday's shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn., Friday, July 17, 2015, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The U.S. Marine Corps officials has now formally released the names of the four Marines killed in the attack on the combined Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway Thursday.

Among the fallen are Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist originally of Polk, Wisconsin; Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan of Hampden, Massachusetts; Lance Cpl. Squire "Skip" Wells of Cobb, Ga.; and Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt, of Burke, N.C. who was recently a Hixson resident

"It is with deep regret and heartfelt sorrow that the Marine Corps can officially confirm that the following Marines were killed on July 16, 2015, at in Chattanooga, Tennessee," Marines spokesman Maj. Paul Greenberg said in the statement. "Our priorities are focused on supporting the families of our Marines involved and assisting federal investigators."

"The incident has not changed the Marine Corps' resolve to maintain a presence in our communities. Our reserve centers will remain open, and continue with the mission of augmenting and reinforcing the active component Marine Corps with trained units and individual Marines."

In addition to those killed, an unnamed male Marine recruiter, a U.S. Navy sailor, Randall Smith, and a Chattanooga Police officer, Dennis Pedigo, were injured in the attacks.

Pedigo and the recruiter are expected to make a full recovery, officials say. Smith, however, was fighting for his life, officials said Thursday.

Andy Berke tweeted Thursday, "As information about our fallen heroes is released, I pray their families are comforted during this difficult time."

Below is what we know so far of the Marines who died. If you knew one of these victims and wish to share memories about them, please contact Kate Belz at 423-757-6673 or email kbelz@timesfreepress.com

Staff Sgt. David A. Wyatt

photo David Wyatt

Wyatt, of Burke, N.C. currently lived in Hixson with his wife and children. On Friday, his home was bedecked with an American flag and guarded by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputy.

Wyatt's wife, Lorri Wyatt, has received an outpouring of support over Facebook.

" He was such a great husband and father, I'm so so sorry for you Lorri," one friend wrote."

  • Pay entry base date: May 4, 2004

  • Rank and date of rank: E6, July 1, 2011

  • Home of record (entered service from): Burke, North Carolina

  • Present Duty Station: Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion,14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve

  • Military Occupational Specialty: 0848 (Field Artillery Operations Man)

  • Deployment dates and locations: Oct. 20, 2010 - May 2, 2011 (Operation Enduring Freedom), Jan. 1 - Apr. 20, 2008 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Oct. 8 - Dec. 31, 2007 (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

  • Duty status: Active

  • Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1), Good Conduct Medal (3), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1), Iraq Campaign Medal (1), Korean Defense Service Medal (1), Humanitarian Service Medal (1), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (1), National Defense Service Medal (1), Navy Unit Commendation (2), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (1), Letter of Appreciation (3), NATO-ISAF Service Medal (1)

Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist

photo Carson Holmquist

According to Holmquist's Facebook, he was from Granstburg, Wisconsin and lived in Jacksonville, N.C., the location of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejune.

A photo posted recently to his page shows a woman and a child holding signs welcoming Holmquist home next to a sign that says "Headquarters 1st Battalion 9th Marines, 2nd Mar Div."

"We've waited 244 days for this moment," the sign held by the woman stated. "Welcome home Sgt. Holmquist."

The child held a sign reading, "Welcome Home Daddy."

Thursday Holmquists' page began to fill with condolences and messages of grief.

"I was looking forward to grabbing drinks when you got out here but because some terrorist decided he didn't like the US military I will have a drink in honor of you," a friend wrote on Holmquist's Facebook page. "You will be missed bud."

Service Background, from the U.S. Marine Corps

  • Pay entry base date: Jan. 20, 2009

  • Rank and date of rank: E5, Aug. 1, 2013

  • Home of record (entered service from): Polk, Wisconsin

  • Present Duty Station: Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion,14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve

  • Military Occupational Specialty: 3521 (Automotive Maintenance Technician)

  • Deployment dates and locations: Jan. 1, 2014 - May 22, 2014 (Operation Enduring Freedom), Sep. 26, 2013 - Dec. 31, 2013 (Operation Enduring Freedom)

  • Duty status: Active

  • Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1), Good Conduct Medal (1), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (1), National Defense Service Medal (1), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (1), NATO-ISAF Service Medal (1), Certificate of Commendation (1), Letter of Appreciation (1)

Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan

photo Thomas J. Sullivan

Sullivan, age 40, grew up in Springfield, Mass. and survived two tours of duty and earned a Purple Heart, according to the Massachusetts online news site MassLive.com.

"Just a few days ago, Sullivan was jogging along Mill Road in Hampden, Massachusetts, where his parents live," the report said.

Nathan Bill's Bar & Restaurant, which is news reports state is owned by Sullivan's brother Joseph, posted a message on its Facebook page: "Rest In Peace Gunnery SGT. Thomas Sullivan. Anyone who went to Holy Cross School, Cathedral High School or grew up in the East Forest Park knew who Tommy was. He was our hero and he will never be forgotten. Please keep his family & friends in your thoughts & prayers. Thank you Tommy for protecting us."

An American flag hung outside the door in one posted photo, with a message, "Here's to our hero."

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker ordered the flags in the state be lowered to half-staff.

Service Background, from the U.S. Marine Corps

Full name: Thomas J. Sullivan

  • Pay entry base date: Sep. 2, 1997

  • Rank and date of rank: E7, Oct. 1, 2011

  • Home of record (entered service from): Hampden, Massachusetts

  • Present Duty Station: Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion,14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve

  • Military Occupational Specialty: 0811 (Field Artillery Cannoneer)

  • Deployment dates and locations: Aug. 18, 2014 - Jan. 11, 2015 (Western Pacific), Sep. 16, 2007 - Apr. 22, 2008 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Sept. 10, 2004 - Apr. 17, 2005 (Operation Iraqi Freedom)

  • Duty status: Active

  • Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Good Conduct Medal (4), Purple Heart (2), Combat Action Ribbon (1), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1), Korean Defense Service Medal (1), Recruiting Ribbon (1), Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5), Armed Forces Service Medal (1), Humanitarian Service Medal (1), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (1), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (1), National Defense Service Medal (1)

Lance Cpl. Squire K. "Skip" Wells

photo Skip Wells

Wells, 21, was a resident of Marietta, Ga., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He graduated Sprayberry High School in 2012 and attended Georgia Southern University for one year.

"The entire Georgia Southern University community is saddened by the news that former student and Marine Skip Wells was killed yesterday in the Chattanooga tragedy along with three fellow Marines. Skip was enrolled as a student from 2012 through fall of 2013," said university spokeswoman Jan Bond."

"The Eagle Nation offers our deepest condolences to his family and the families of those killed and wounded during this incident."

From the U.S. Marine Corps:

Service Background, from the U.S. Marine Corps

  • Pay entry base date: Feb. 10, 2014

  • Rank and date of rank: E3, Nov. 1, 2014

  • Home of record (entered service from): Cobb, Georgia

  • Present Duty Station: Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion,14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve

  • Military Occupational Specialty: 0811 (Field Artillery Cannoneer)

  • Deployment dates and locations: None

  • Duty status: Select Marine Corps Reserve (he was on active duty operational support mobilization orders)

Awards and decorations with (# of each award): National Defense Service Medal (1), Certificate of Appreciation (1)


Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Randall Scott Smith

Home of Record: Ohio

Date Enlisted: Nov. 8, 2010

Rank/Rating: Logistics Specialist 2nd Class / LS2

Date of Rank: Dec. 16, 2014

Duty Station: Reported Detached

Naval Operational Support Center, Chattanooga, TN 08/15/2014

USS WASP (LSD 1) 05/26/2011 07/25/2014

Student, Naval Technical Training Command, Meridian, MS 01/15/2011 05/09/2011

Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL 11/08/2010 01/15/2011

Awards and Decorations:

Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist

Navy "E" Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

INJURED

A Chattanooga police officer, a Marine recruiter and a U.S. Navy sailor are among those wounded in Thursday's deadly attacks.

Twenty-six-year-old Randall Smith, who has been identified by Stars and Stripes as a logistics specialist in the U.S. Navy, was still fighting for his life on Friday, officials said.

It remains unclear at which location Smith was shot.

While the U.S. Marines have confirmed that a Marine recruiter was shot in the leg during the attacks, they declined to formally release his idenity. with spokesman Maj. Paul Greenberg saying "This is a time for healing for the Marine, his family, and the community."

He has been treated and released from the hospital.

Chattanooga Police officer Dennis Pedigo was shot in the leg area Thursday. On Friday, Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said Pedigo was dragged to safety after the shootout by several police officers. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Fletcher said the officers that participated in the shootout and their families were doing "very, very well."

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