8/9/2007
A Sunnyvale man serving his third tour of duty with the Marines in Iraq was killed in fighting there last week (August 09, 2007), the Pentagon said today.
Sgt. Michael Tayaotao, 27, joined the Marines soon after he graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale. He volunteered to return to Iraq for his third tour seven months ago and had hoped to return to resume his education and go fishing with friends.
Tayaotao died Thursday from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, the military said. The sergeant was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Pendleton (San Diego County).