Fallen Soldiers and Heroes

Michael was a Motor Transport Marine with Motor Transport Platoon, Support Company, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion and was attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2d Marine Division during operation Iraqi Freedom and died in Germany Dec 14, 2005. My daughter just finished reading EVER AFTER and she had a hard time reading it. It brought back so many memories of our FALLEN HERO. My HERO, is CPL. MICHAEL B. PRESLEY borned Feb. 17, 1984. and died in Germany Dec 14, 2005 from wounds he received in Falluja, Iraq when his convoy came under attack from a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED). As the convoy passed a taxi that had pulled off to the right side of route, the taxi pulled out in the path of Brandon's vechicle. Due to the fact that the vechicle was non-responsive, Brandon drew his M16A4 and was preparing to engage the lone occupant of the taxi. As he did this, the SVBIED initiated its device, before it had actually impacted the MTVR. This action undountedly saved the life of the MTVR driver. Brandon was wounded by shrapnel in the blast and later died of the wounds. Brandon's quick actions saved not only his driver, but also the cargo that they were carrying, the Iraqi ballots. He valianly put his fellow marines and mission accomplishment ahead of his own safety. That is the Brandon that we have always loved. He always stepped up to be the first in line and never sat back. He knew he was going to Iraq so he volunteered to go earlier. Brandon loved being a Marine but he was looking forward to getting his time done so he could get on with his life. He had a girl friend that he loved and planned on having a life with. Brandon was 21 year old, and one of those people you couldn't help but love. He had a huge smile on his face at all times. He could always lighten the mood no matter what the situation. In his 21 years he took full advantage of every opportunity that came his way and made the best of every situation. Some of the family talked to him the night before the attack and he was cracking jokes as he always did and talking about how he could not wait to be home soon (he had 2 or 3 months left)in Iraq. We are blessed with the GREAT memories that we will have to last us because he was taken from us far too soon. CPL MICHAEL BRANDON PRESLEY Feb. 17, 1984 - DEC. 14, 2005 May your smile shine on forever! Love from, the very proud grandmother of this HERO, Mary Presley and thank you from Brandon family in Pope, Mississippi