Gold Star Families

Sgt. Korthaus drowned while trying to cross the Saddam Canal in southeastern Iraq.
Marine Sgt Korthaus was assigned to Engineering Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Peoria, Illinois. Korthaus drowned while attempting to cross the canal - ordered into water with full gear on by his Major. Remains recovered on March 25. He and another Marine were trying to set up weapons on the opposite bank to protect a water-purification team. Concerns about the incident also have been sparked in Korthaus' hometown by an account of the incident from a Washington Times photographer embedded with his unit, who said the Marines tried to swim across weighed down by heavy equipment. 'These two guys went into the water with full camouflage gear and rifles and sank to the bottom like a rock,' the photographer, J.M. Eddins, told his newspaper from Iraq. 'Everyone is really ... [angry] about this. It was just a needless, tragic accident.' Brad wanted to be a Marine since he was 10. He graduated in 1992 from Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa where he played football, soccer, tennis and was on the wresting team. He also played three band instruments. Brad picked up the nickname 'Cruiser' because of an old '65 Dodge Dart. The vintage coupe was his first car. Other kids would come to school in their mom and dad's Jags and Beemers, but they wanted to go cruising with Brad in that Dart. After graduation, he joined the Marines and served four years. He was stationed in various parts of the world including Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. Once he returned home, he missed the military and joined the Reserves. Brad was a special guy; he believed as a bachelor that it was his duty to risk his life before men with families. He missed the military and joined the Reserves. Brad was a special guy; he believed as a bachelor that it was his duty to risk his life before men with families. Brad's mother, Mariyln will be present at the Anonymously Grateful's Inaugural Gold Star Family Banquet being held on Friday, September 6th, 2024. See the events page to purchase tickets to attend or the donations page to support this mission.