MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- “He always said if anyone was going to take the shot,” said Bonnie J. Breaux, mother of Cpl. Richard P. Schoener, in a proud yet grieving voice, “it would be him.”
“When he graduated from boot camp,” explained Mary-Pride Kirven, sister of Lance Cpl. Nicholas C. Kirven, “we knew that being a Marine was exactly what he needed to do and that he would be great at it.”
A memorial service was held Friday, between hangars 101 and 102, in honor of two Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, “America’s Battalion,” who were killed in action, May 8, while deployed with their unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Cpl. Richard P. Schoener and Lance Cpl. Nicholas C. Kirven, team leaders, 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3/3, lost their lives in the Alishang District of Laghman Province, Afghanistan, during a fierce clash with insurgent fighters.
While pursuing members of an Al Queda-affiliated militia force through local villages, Marines interpreted intelligence reports that led them to believe insurgents where planning an ambush. With that information in hand, the Marines continued to push forward until contact was made. When engaged in the first firefight, the two team leaders were at the head of their Marines.
Kirven fired at an insurgent with a high-explosive 40 mm round from his M203 grenade launcher during his squad’s pursuit of the retreating insurgents.
Kirven, 21, and Schoener, 22, were the first Marines to reach the insurgent’s body, which was lying by the opening to a cave. Schoener provided cover while Kirven checked the body. Almost immediately, the two came under fire from insurgents inside the cave. Both were severely wounded.
The two Marines, Kirven from Fairfax, Va., and Schoener, a Hayes, La. native, although injured, continued to fight back, providing cover for their brothers in arms until two enemy grenades were tossed from the mouth of the cave, landing next to the heroes and ending their lives.
The rest of the platoon quickly cleared the cave and finished the assault, although their main concerns were focused on Kirven and Schoener. True to the Marine Corps dictum, Marines never leave another behind, the members of their platoon, although dehydrated from the hours-long assault and journey to the objective, took turns carrying their fallen brothers more than five miles through rigorous mountain terrain back to the patrol base.
That day, Mothers Day, Lt. Col. Norm Cooling, battalion commander, 3/3, made two phone calls he described as the most difficult calls he ever had to make.
“During those calls, I clearly saw where they got their courage and selflessness,” he announced referring to the Marines’ families.
Cooling described how Elizabeth Belle, Kirven’s mother, and Bonnie Breaux, Schoener’s mother, impressed him with their final words before the phone conversations ended. He explained how they both put their personal pain aside and told him to take care of the other Marines and bring them back safely.
Fellow Marines and friends of the two fallen hero’s, said a few words to the families about how the young men had affected them throughout their time as fellow brothers in arms and how their optimistic and comical personalities never faltered.
“They were the first Marines that were always ready for anything,” said 1st Lt. Sam Monte, platoon commander, 3/3. “They kept us going and never gave up. They were our brothers.”
Cpl. Nick Collier, rifleman, 3/3, spoke about the plans he had made with Kirven and how the time they shared would always remain as uplifting memories of the good times the two friends had.
“I remember Nick giving out toys, candy, food, and whatever else he had to local kids while we were out on patrol,” he recalled. “I remember him looking at their smiles and saying, ‘See, it really makes it all worthwhile.’”
Cpl. Nathan Valencia, rifleman, Kilo Company, 3/3, spoke about his time spent with Schoener and the impression his fellow Marine left on him.
“I looked up the definition of ambition, and it said ‘a desire to succeed,’” said the good friend of Schoener, “Ricky was the most ambitious person I ever met.”
Kirven’s awards include the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Schoener’s awards include Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the GWOTSM.
His mother, Elizabeth A. Belle; his father, Rusty Kirven; brothers Joseph Belle and Joe Purcell; his sister, Mary-Pride Kirven; and his stepfather, Mike Belle, survive Kirven.
His mother, Bonnie Breaux and his sister, Jesyca Schoener, survive Schoener.