Capt. Patrick Marc Rapicault, U.S.M.C. (KIA)

Marine's Loyalty To Troops Recalled
By Lila Arzua
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 1, 2004; Page B02

The photograph of Capt. Patrick Marc M. Rapicault appeared to be looking over the crowd of mourners gathered at the Old Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday. There he was with his dark hair cropped short, medals glistening against his chest, gaze as solid and determined as ever.

Nearby, his body lay in a flag-draped coffin.

More than 100 family, friends and fellow service members had gathered to mourn the 34-year-old Marine who lost his life in Iraq. Rapicault, of St. Augustine, Fla., was killed Nov. 15 in Anbar province. He was the 97th service member killed in Iraq to be buried at Arlington.

Rapicault was assistant operations officer for the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. He had been quoted in numerous news accounts and stories about the war in Iraq and the troops' experiences.

"You have to get over your feelings and keep on pushing, just for the simple reason that you have another 170 Marines to take care of and make sure they come back," he told Time magazine shortly before his death.

He was interviewed for an Oct. 25 article on the war that recounted Rapicault's role as commander of Whiskey Platoon, leading his men on a counterinsurgency mission prior to the start of major fighting in Fallujah.

According to the Time article, Rapicault's Humvee was struck by mortar fire and disabled during the patrol. It was the sixth time he had been hit, the article said. None of his men were killed in that attack, but Rapicault was prepared to give his life for his country.

"It is a daily hit and run," Rapicault later told Agence France-Presse.

Yesterday, a letter from a CBS correspondent who had covered him was read aloud to the mourners. A friend and fellow serviceman recalled his "bone-crushing handshake" and his loyalty to those he loved.

Rapicault had been awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal.

He was born on the island of Martinique and moved to the French Riviera at age 5. He immigrated to the United States as a teenager. It was during his high school years in Mississippi that he developed his distinctive accent -- part French and part southern, according to one of the speakers at the service. But "Frenchy," as he was known to many, was proud of his mastery of English as a second language, and especially of a writing award he won.

Rapicault attended Delta State University in Mississippi and joined the Marine Corps Reserve. Upon graduating with a bachelor of science degree in business management, he converted to active duty. In 1997, he completed Officer Candidate School and reported to Camp Pendleton in California. The following year, he graduated first in his class from Army Ranger School.

At his grave yesterday, a Marine band played the hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save." Capt. Daniel Hench presented a U.S. flag to Rapicault's wife, Vera, and Staff Sgt. Charles Dorsey presented another to his mother, Nicole Rapicault.

In addition to his wife and mother, Rapicault is survived by his father, Gabriel Rapicault, and a sister, Christine Cappillino.