Location: 1685
Date: 6/9/2005
Rank: Lance Corporal
Branch: U.S. Marine
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Dustin Birch, assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division out of Boise, Idaho was killed in Haqlaniyah, Iraq, on June 9th, 2005 when the tank he was traveling in was damaged by a mine blast. Uninjured, Birch and others from the tank crew were picked up by a military Humvee, which was hit by a second mine explosion. Birch and four others died in the explosion.
Dustin Birch joined the Marine Corps Reserves after graduating from high school and received permission to take a two-year leave to serve a full-time mission. He was called to serve at the California Santa Rosa Mission where he labored hard and honorably. Returning from missionary service, Birch continued his military training and began a deployment to Iraq in 2005. Military service and duty suited the young man.
Dustin is survived by his parents, Paul and Deborah Birch, and three siblings: Dallen, 21, Terik, 18, and JJ, 15. He was engaged to be married to Melissa Taylor when he returned from Iraq.