R.I.P. Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury

Name: Marine Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury

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Age: 23

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From: Anchorage, Alaska

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Assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

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Incident: Marine Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury died Oct. 26 in a collision between a UH-1 and an AH-1 helicopter in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed were Capt. Eric A. Jones, Capt. David S. Mitchell and Capt. Kyle R. Van De Giesen.

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Died: October 26, 2009

(Taken from www.ktva.com)An Anchorage man was one of four Marines killed while serving in Afghanistan this week.

Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury, 23, of Anchorage died when two Marine helicopters collided in flight while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to a Department of Defense release.

Fleury was assigned to the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. Fleury was a graduate of Service High School in Anchorage.

At Service High School Fleury was in the orchestra and a Navy Junior ROTC member.

The corporal's former teacher Eileen Foley remembers how his homework attitude changed once he learned his future military career could be on the line.

"He was so proud," Foley says. "And his Marine recruiter took him away for the weekend and made him do all the work he was missing. And Greg said I don't even care if you give me credit for it or not. I'm just glad I got it done. Because his Marine recruiter told him if someone needs to rely on you, you need to make sure you do your job. And he did his job."

Fleury had received several top military honors. State flags will be lowered to half-staff Thursday.