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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
BY SENATOR MARIONNEAUX
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Marine Corporal Joe
Wrightsman.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the loved2
ones and family of United States Marine Corporal Joe Wrightsman upon his death3
while in the service of his country.4
WHEREAS, Joe L. Wrightsman spent his early childhood in Kitsap County,5
Washington, until the age of thirteen, when he moved with his mother and siblings to6
Jonesboro, Louisiana; and7
WHEREAS, he attended Jonesboro High School where he ran track, cross country8
and played football for the Tigers, and was a model leader among his peers; and9
WHEREAS, as far back as his family can remember, Joe had an undying love for the10
military and wanted to serve his country, so upon graduating from high school, he enlisted11
in May 2005 and attended infantry school in August, and joined the 3
rd
Battalion, 3
rd
Marine12
Regiment, based out of Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay in October 2005; and13
WHEREAS, as a rifleman and team leader of Kilo Company, he served two14
deployments in Iraq; and15
WHEREAS, during his distinguished service he was awarded many honors,16
including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good17
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service18 SR NO. 45
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Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the NATO-International1
Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal; and2
WHEREAS, in spite of the risks, he loved his job and felt confident with his duties,3
so when he was asked to volunteer to deploy to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency4
operations partnered with Afghan National Security Forces, he was among the first to sign5
up; and6
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2010, Corporal Wrightsman and his unit were patrolling7
with Afghan trainees; upon attempting to cross the fast-flowing Helmand River, one of the8
trainees was swept away; and9
WHEREAS, with the kind of bravery that defined Corporal Wrightsman, without10
knowing how to swim, he plunged into the treacherous water in full protective gear in an11
effort to save his Afghani counterpart, but was quickly swept away by the powerful river;12
and13
WHEREAS, although every type of asset, aircraft, equipment, and personnel were14
employed to rescue the two men, the Taliban forces were beginning to move in from the15
north in an effort to capture Corporal Wrightsman's body before the Marines, but were16
thwarted when the bodies of the two men were rescued two days later; and17
WHEREAS, Corporal Wrightsman leaves behind many loved ones, including a son,18
Mcae; his fiancee Kiara; his parents, and nine brothers and eight sisters; and19
WHEREAS, all who knew and loved Joe Wrightsman were shocked at his untimely20
death, but were also filled with pride to know that America still breeds men with a bias for21
action who don't dwell on what they can't do.22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana23
does hereby acknowledge United States Marine Corporal Joe L. Wrightsman for his brave24
service to his country, and does extend its deepest and most profound condolences to his25
family for their terrible loss.26
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the27
family of Corporal Joe L. Wrightsman.28 SR NO. 45
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
Marionneaux SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of U.S.M.C. Corporal Joe Wrightsman.