8/18/2009
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Gunnery Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin, 34, of Garfield Heights, died Aug. 18, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Adam was a Gunnery Sergeant in the USMC and was an EOD Tech. He was in the midst of defusing an IED when it went off. He was serving one of several tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He will be missed.
Master Sgt. Adam F. Benjamin of Garfield, Ohio opted for boot camp instead of college after graduating from Garfield Heights High School in 1993. This had been a goal of his ever since he was a boy. Adam truly loved his job in the Marine Corps as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. He had a passion for military history and a passion for guns. He also had a playful side that always presented itself each time he was back at home with his siblings. The devoted brother and son would insist on having dinner with his mother whenever he was home on leave. Adam was deployed twice to Iraq, from February to October 2007 and again from February to September 2008. He received several awards, including, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals as well as various other personal and unit decorations. In addition to his mother and stepfather, Judy and Robert Watters, and his father, Frank Benjamin, he also leaves his siblings, Aaron, Amanda, Asa, Abram, Abigail, Amos, Amaryah, Aric, Anyah, Alexis and Allen.
Thank you Msgt Benjamin and his gold star family. I can’t imagine how proud you must be of your amazing son/brother and how painful it must be to have lost him so soon. I have no words to express my gratitude but always know your family is in my heart.
Still miss you all the time, almost 13 years after you had to leave us. Adam was an very special person and an awesome friend. He died doing what he loved and was put on this earth to do, protect people. Even tho his loss made a huge hole in lives of so many of us that knew him personally, his positive impact made a much larger one even on people who never got the chance to meet him. You will never be forgotten, your sense of humor and bright smile will live on in the hearts of everyone that knew you. The whole world is indebted to you for your sacrifice… from the deepest of my heart, thank you
Amazing tribute to your friend. May he rest in peace