(reprinted from the
Washington Post, September 14, 2004)Fairfax County Marine Officer
Killed in Iraq
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 14, 2004; Page A19
A 27-year-old Marine from Fairfax County died Sunday of wounds he received during
combat in Iraq's Anbar province.
First Lt. Alexander E. Wetherbee, an assault amphibious vehicle officer, was serving
his second deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since joining the
Marine Corps on Dec. 22, 2001. Wetherbee was assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian
Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton in
California.
Yesterday, Defense Department officials released few details about Wetherbee or his
death, but said his awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.
A family member reached at the home of Wetherbee's parents in McLean
declined to be interviewed, saying only: "He was a wonderful young man, very loving.
This is a terrible time for us."
