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First Name: Donald

Last Name: Cline

Birthplace: Sierra Madre, CA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Middle Name: John



Date of Birth: 01 November 1981

Date of Death: 23 March 2003

Rank: Lance Corporal

Years Served:
Donald John Cline, Jr.

   
Engagements:
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

Donald John Cline, Jr.
Lance Corporal, U. S. Marine Corps

Donald John Cline, Jr. was born on 1 November 1981 in Sierra Madre, CA.

John was a big basketball fan and loved to play the game despite his short stature. He enlisted in the Marines in 2000 with his parents' permission because he was only 17. He graduated from high school and went to boot camp, finishing on 20 October 2000.

He and his wife Tina were married the next day. Tina said that he was undersized and had big ears. To a drill instructor, that is like saying 'sic 'em' to a bulldog. But he was determined to be a good Marine, and there was no quit in him. Donald had talked about becoming a police officer and living in Reno when he left the military.

Military Service

On 23 March 2003, Lance Corporal Donald John Cline, Jr. was serving as a Rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force Tarawa, I Marine Expeditionary Force while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

On that date, during Company C's movement north to the Saddam Canal Bridge, LCpl Cline's amphibious assault vehicle came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. LCpl Cline immediately engaged the enemy with well-aimed fire to cover his squad's movement across the bridge. The vehicle halted on the eastern side of an elevated 4-lane highway and the squad assumed a position covering the Company's northeast flank. Several Marines near LCpl Cline were severely wounded by the intense artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. Ignoring his own safety, LCpl Cline left his covered position and exposed himself to enemy fire while aiding his fellow Marines by moving them from a casualty collection point (CCP) to a medical evacuation vehicle. Although only 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 135 pounds, LCpl Cline tirelessly carried wounded Marines twice his size 75 meters across the perilous highway. Upon securing the last casualty, LCpl Cline maneuvered to an adjacent vehicle, began loading water and essential medical gear, and then provided security for the casualties. Moments later, LCpl Cline was mortally wounded while sacrificing his own life to protect his wounded comrades. LCpl Cline's courageous actions that day earned him the U.S. Marine Corp's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

The family's last contact from John came when a small package, postmarked 14 March 2003, arrived from Kuwait. In it was a small toy truck carved out of wood for his son.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Cline, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 23 March 2003 while serving as a Rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines, Task Force TARAWA, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During the company's movement north to the Saddam Canal Bridge, Lance Corporal Cline's amphibious assault vehicle came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. He immediately engaged the enemy with well-aimed fire to cover his squad's movement across the bridge. The vehicle halted on the eastern side of an elevated four-lane highway, and the squad assumed a position covering the company's northeast flank. Several Marines near him were severely wounded by the intense artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. With total disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Cline left his covered position and exposed himself to enemy fire, while aiding his fellow Marines by moving them from a casualty collection point to a medical evacuation vehicle. He tirelessly carried wounded Marines 75 meters across the perilous highway. Upon securing the last casualty, he maneuvered to an adjacent vehicle, began loading water and essential medical gear, and then provided security for the casualties. Moments later Lance Corporal Cline was mortally wounded, bravely sacrificing his own life to protect his wounded comrades. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Cline reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial/Cremation

Lance Corporal Donald John Cline, Jr. is buried at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, Morton County, ND, in Section W, Site 122.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183811326/donald-john-cline



Honoree ID: 2119   Created by: MHOH

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