In Memoriam

Marine laid to rest

By MELISSA NANN BURKE

For The Evening Sun

Distraught friends Sunday remembered Sgt. Jonathan Eric McColley as a Marine, an Eagle Scout and a fierce friend.

The 23-year-old was among 10 service members killed Feb. 17 when a pair of Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Africa.

He will be buried Friday at the Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia.

During Sunday's memorial service for the Gettysburg native, McColley's family, mentors and buddies alike described him as a funny, big-hearted redhead who delighted in a good water-balloon fight and Jimmy Buffet melodies.

Lt. Col. Jeffery P. Martinez, the commanding officer of McColley's squadron, said, "The greatest warriors often have the biggest hearts and the greatest compassion."

Approximately 150 people went to remember Eric McColley in the sunny sanctuary of Gettysburg Presbyterian Church, just down the road from the Soldier's National Museum in Gettysburg.

An avid swimmer and scuba diver, McColley taught many children in Adams County how to swim, the Rev. Louis Nyiri said.

As a child, McColley once picketed his elementary school playground - placard and all - to change playground rules. He wanted to be a stand-up comedian but instead joined the Marines in 1999.

After he got caught with a pair of Groucho Marx glasses during boot camp, McColley was often ordered to don them on command, said his father, John E. McColley.

Although embarrassed, his son knew the laughs prompted by the mustachioed getup helped fellow recruits get through some tough training days.

Eric McColley was "twice the Marine I was" and a son who was "never afraid to hug and kiss his mother in public," John McColley said.

One young friend said McColley had, in a way, lived a long, happy life.

His military assignments took him to Iraq, Japan, Guam, North Carolina and California.

"He made us proud, just to know him," the friend said.

McColley had recently completed his first five years in the service, earned his flight wings and had signed up for another five years.

On Feb. 17, he and 11 other members of a U.S. counterterrorism force were aboard two CH-53E helicopters that crashed during a training flight in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Djibouti.

Two crew members survived. Two other Pennsylvanians were among the dead - Sgt. James F. Fordyce, 22, of Newtown Square and Capt. Bryan D. Willard, 33, of Hummelstown.

The choppers were from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, based out of Jacksonville, N.C.

Martinez knew McColley as a quiet professional who was promoted four times in five years, he said.

"I trained this man. I deployed this man," he said. "I flew with this man and trusted him with my life. I loved him like my own sons. God bless you, Marine. Semper fi."

John McColley said some might call Eric a hero.

"But my son would say, 'Dad, I'm just doing my job.'"