In Memoriam

Home

Cpl. Thomas Saba

(reprinted from Marines.mil, February 11, 2007)

'Flying Tigers' mourn fallen crew chief

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (Feb. 11, 2007) -- Open space in the Mainside Chapel here slowly shrank as Marines and sailors silently filed in and took their seats to mourn their fallen brother.

A memorial service was held Feb. 11 to honor Cpl. Thomas E. Saba, a CH-46E “Sea Knight” crew chief with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262.

Saba, a Staten Island, N.Y., native, gave his life in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during a casualty evacuation mission near Fallujah, Feb. 7.

According to Saba’s biography, he extended his contract in the Marine Corps once he heard the squadron was deploying.

Upon finishing recruit training and follow-on military occupational schools, Saba was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

“He extended three times because of rumors that we would deploy to Iraq,” said Sgt. Jesse W. Morgan, another crew chief with the squadron.

Morgan said Saba approached him when the squadron was deployed to the Philippines to express his desire to deploy with the unit.

“I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve beside Cpl. Saba for three years,” said Morgan. “He was always good at taking a joke, but even better at cracking them. He was almost always smiling, laughing or telling a joke.”

Saba’s friends and co-workers will remember him as a man of great character, a brother, a fellow Marine, a skilled and talented crew chief, and more, said Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, commanding officer of the squadron.

“He was a dedicated Marine – dedicated to his fellow Marines, his Corps, his country and his family,” added Farrell.

A roll call was conducted at the memorial by Sgt. Maj. Leon S. Thornton, sergeant major of HMM-262.

“Corporal Thomas Saba,” Thornton called out. Then he paused, waiting for Saba’s voice to answer, “Here.” The response didn’t come.

Thornton called for Saba two more times with increasing volume, as if Saba may not have heard him. The response never came. “Taps” was played following the unanswered third call.

Saba’s awards and decorations include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal with a bronze star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars and a Certificate of Appreciation, according to his biography.

He is survived by his parents, Barbara and Anthony, brother and two sisters.

“He wanted to make a difference in this world – he made a difference to all of us,” said Farrell. “Tom, we’ll never forget you. You left a lasting impression on us all.”