Marine from Prince Edward dies in Iraq

Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: April 26, 2008

Marine from Prince Edward County has died in the war in Iraq, the Defense Department said yesterday.

Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale, 21, of Burkeville, died Tuesday from wounds he suffered while in combat operations in Iraq’s Anbar Province.

He was a graduate of Prince Edward County High School.

Cpl. Yale was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

He entered the Marine Corps on Oct. 21, 2005, and was trained as an antitank-assault guided missileman, the 2nd Marine Division said. He was promoted to corporal on Dec. 1.

His military decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

At Prince Edward High, he was active in the school’s Outdoor Club, the Drama Club and Thespians, and the Competition Cheerleading Squad.

Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter, 19, of Sag Harbor, N.Y., also died in the same operation, the Pentagon said. Haerter was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division’s 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment.

So far, 121 Virginia service members have died in the war in Iraq.