MARINE Sgt. Michael J. Guillory

BLUE to GOLD ~ With Great Sadness ~ MARINE Sgt. Michael J. Guillory, 28, of Pearl River, LAdied Dec. 14 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Sgt. Michael J. Guillory, 28, was conducting resupply operations as part of a Village Stability Operation around 1:45 on Dec. 14 when he was involved in a vehicle accident. At the time, Guillory was overseas involved with Operation Enduring Freedom in the Middle East. According to Marine Corp officials, Guillory was rushed to a nearby medical facility, but could not be resuscitated.

The incident is currently under investigation, officials have said.

Guillory was a 9-year veteran of the Marin Corps. He joined MARSOC—Marine Corps Special Operations Command—in May 2009 and had initially joined the Marines in March 2003 as a combat engineer.

He reported to 3rd Transport Battalion in Okinawa, Japan, during his first tour and would later serve with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion when he was deployed to Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in 2005. In Iraq Guillory was promoted to corporal. He reenlisted with the Marine Corps as a sergeant and later moved into the infantry field after graduating from the basic reconnaissance course in 2007.

Guillory later served with the 1st Recon Battalion as a recon scout and was deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2008.

After being screened and selected to attend the individual training course Guillory graduated in July 2009 while being given the title Critical Skills Operator.

“After receiving orders to 1st MSOB, he served as team member and later assistant element leader. He deployed with MARSOC previously in 2011,” officials said.

Guillory was deployed to support both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom