DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier, 26, of Mechanicville, N.Y., died Dec. 2, while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 2nd Marine Division Public Affairs Office at 910-450-6575.
---
By Lee Coleman (Contact)
Gazette Reporter
MECHANICVILLE — A 26-year-old Marine from Mechanicville was killed Sunday by enemy fire while on foot patrol in the Marjeh District of Afghanistan, military authorities said on Monday.
Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Denier, who joined the Marines nearly two years ago, was pronounced dead at 10:45 a.m. Sunday after an enemy bullet hit him in the neck, said First Sgt. Stephen Griffin of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The wounded Marine was airlifted from the combat scene but was pronounced dead when he arrived at a military medical facility, Griffin said.
Denier’s body is expected to arrive sometime today at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Ann Denier of Mechanicville, Anthony Denier’s aunt, said Anthony usually called his mother, Mary Denier Morgan, each Sunday morning from Afghanistan.
“She was just waiting for the call when she heard a knock on her door,” Ann Denier said. The visitors were two Marines coming to tell her that her son had been killed in combat.
“He was a very good person and we were proud of him. He was presented with medals and awards while in the Marines,” his aunt said.
Anthony was not married. He is survived by his mother, a father who lives in Florida, and two older sisters who live in Gloversville.
‘died a hero’
Before he deployed to Afghanistan, Anthony Denier came home for 10 days from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The Deniers held a family gathering in his honor before he departed Oct. 26.
“The whole family was there,” Ann Denier said.
John Denier of River Road, Anthony’s uncle, said the Marines told the family that Anthony Denier “died a hero, defending his country.”
The Mechanicville native, who graduated from Mechanicville High School, had been a house and commercial painter before joining the Marines. He was a member of the Third Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team No. 7 of the First Marine Division (Forward). His stateside post was Camp Lejeune.
The DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home in Mechanicville is in charge of funeral arrangements
Thomas Salvadore said Monday that Denier’s body is expected to arrive sometime today at Dover Air Force Base. It will be four to seven days before the body is flown to Albany International Airport.
The body will be met in Albany by a Marine Corps honor guard and family members.
Salvadore said there will be calling hours at the American Legion Post 91 on South Main Street in Mechanicville. The funeral services will also be held at the American Legion post but times and dates are still being finalized. Burial will be in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in the town of Saratoga.
Mechanicville Supervisor Thomas Richardson said Monday that he did not know Anthony Denier personally but knows members of the Denier family.
“It’s a nice family. I’m sure he was a fine young man. It’s absolutely a tragedy,” Richardson said.
“There’s not a word in the dictionary to express it. I feel terrible for the family. It’s a bad day for everyone,” he said.
Washington Time
Kabul Time
London Time
