PHOENIX, AZ, USA U.S. Marines LCPL, K CO, 3D BN, 7TH MAR (2-28 BCT, 2D MARDIV) 1ST MARDIV, TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA BALAD, IRAQ 02/25/2006
“He wanted to be a Marine since he was little. It was his dream. The Marines was his whole life.”
John graduated from Tolleson Union High School in 2002. He enlisted in the Marines in 2004.
John J. Thornton’s bedroom was filled with Marine memorabilia, such as stickers, artwork and camouflaged stuffed animals.
Uncle John Alvarado described his nephew as “a very outgoing, friendly young guy that everyone loved.” He added, “I can’t tell you how many of his friends I’ve talked to that are terribly upset over this.”
“It’s a shame something like this has to happen to the good ones”, said Lance Cpl. Jacob Hayes at his colleague’s funeral. “He was definitely a good Marine and a better person.”
Joe Montoya, Thornton’s grandfather, couldn’t make the service, but sent a letter to be read.
“I never met someone I could call my hero,” Montoya wrote. “Now I have a hero: John Joshua Thornton, my U.S. Marine.”but his unit was serving with the 2nd Marine Division while in Iraq.
John J. Thornton was killed in an enemy mortar attack in Ramadi, Iraq on February 25th 2006. He was 22 years old.
John is survived by his mother, Rachel, and his brother, Kyle 16, and sister, Brianna 14. His father is deceased.
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