Lance Cpl. Gregory A. Posey

Lance Cpl. Gregory A. Posey, 22, of Knoxville, Tenn., died July 30 of wounds suffered while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Posey was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
 

Posey was fighting in the Helmand province, what has become a hot zone in Afghanistan. Family says Posey was a Marine born to fight for his country, deployed in May. "He was happier now than he had been in several years," says his aunt, Renee Hurt of Winchester. "He was doing what he wanted to do." Posey grew up in Winchester, graduating in 2005 from Franklin County High School. Then he came to the University of Tennessee for computer and engineering classes. "He was very bright, intelligent handsome young man. He had lots of friends," says Hurt. Neighbors at the Knoxville apartment complex where Posey used to live say he was friendly, a nice guy, who loved motorcycles and his job. It was here in Knoxville where followed his father's footsteps in military life. "His dad was in the service for 24 years, and that's all he's ever known is military," Hurt says. A Navy brother of his father's agrees. "Greg had always wanted to serve in the US Marine Corps," says Steve Redd of Knoxville. He joined the Marine Corps in March of 2007. Posey was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His family says he had a true appreciation for the sacrifices that military men and women make. Now his own ultimate sacrifice will be his legacy. "As a member of the Marine Corps, as a member of the Navy family that he was a part of, and just as a person in general, he will be sorely missed," says Redd. "We're very proud of him for what he was doing, but it doesn't take away the pain that he's gone," says Hurt. So now his family pulls together, knowing Gregory Posey's life will be remembered. "There are people out there fighting for us. He was one of them."