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Auto accident claims lynch rescuer { July 9 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/July/09/LNlist7.htmhttp://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/July/09/LNlist7.htm
NEWS |Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Auto accident claims Lynch rescuer
By PAUL ALONGI - Gannett News Service
MARIETTA, S.C. -- A Marine whose unit was involved in rescuing Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch of Palestine, W.Va., died in a weekend car crash after returning home for the first time since fighting in Iraq, authorities said.
Josh Daniel Speer, 21, died instantly Sunday morning while en route to his fiancee’s house, said Kent Dill, a Greenville County deputy coroner.
Speer was a member of a unit that helped rescue Lynch, who was captured near al-Nasiriyah, said Capt. Shawn Turner, a Marine spokesman. Details of the unit’s role weren’t available.
Speer arrived June 28 at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina after returning to the United States aboard the USS Kearsarge. The family said he was home in Marietta for the first time Thursday.
Holly Coupe, his fiancee, said Speer sent her a letter from Iraq that said, "The first thing I’ll do when I get back is put a ring on your finger."
It didn’t happen this weekend because they went to Frankie’s Fun Park, but she expected him to give her the ring while hiking next Saturday, she said.
Family and friends gathered at the home of Speer’s parents in the woods of Marietta.
"He loved God, his family and his country," said his mother, Shirley Speer.
His father, John Speer, said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks played a pivotal role in his son’s decision to join the Marines.
"I feel very proud," he said. "We trained our children to be patriotic and God-honoring people."
Speer, who was wearing his seat belt, ran off the right side of S.C. 11 and overturned several times, said Lance Cpl. Dan Marsceau of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. He died at the scene.
Lynch remains in satisfactory condition at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where she is undergoing occupational and physical therapy under the supervision of her medical team.
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