Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Capt. Garrett T. Lawton


The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. Garrett T. Lawton, 31, of Charleston, W.V., died Aug. 4 while supporting combat operations in Herat province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Semper Fi, Brother.

Anonymous said...

I live in Charleston, WV. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Althrough I didn't know him, he's always a hero in my heart. I know the pain of losing someone in war. One of my friends from Charleston was killed in Iraq in 2005. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

Garrett "Tubes" Lawton was my best friend. He was an amazing person and a great Marine. We will will miss him very much. Semper Fi, Brother!

Borderline Obsession said...

You are the best human being I have ever been graced to meet. I was so fortunate to call you my brother. I know everyone has only praise for a person when they pass, even if it wasn't true, but you...you really were the most wonderful person on Earth.

I will miss you always and forever and cannot wait for you to meet me in Heaven. You now walk with the Lord and there is no better thing.

I love you Garrett T. Lawton, always in my heart.

Your sister,
Kenna
posted by

Anonymous said...

Tubes,
Your family and friends will remain in my heart and prayers for eternity. Memories of you and our talks on WVU both in Mo-town and at Courthouse Bay will keep your legacy alive. Keep watch over us from the skies.
Semper Fidelis and Godspeed,
mc

Anonymous said...

Garrett, you were my bestfriends brother. I have nothing but wonderful hilarious memories of you when we were kids. I will forever cherish the laughs you gave me. You will be missed but forever Loved, and forever in our Hearts.


Love,
Jen

Anonymous said...

I waited patiently for the LORD and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the LORD.

Anonymous said...

Since "Tubes" arrived at the unit, we instantly bonded as friends. He was an amazing human being, a top notch Marine officer and a great friend. He was madly in love with his wife, and his children were the center of his world. I'm a better person for having known him. Tubes, you will truly be missed but never forgotten. RIP my brother, your mission is complete.

Blue Skies my friend,
Ed Walsh

Anonymous said...

Garrett even though i only met you once i am still in soo much shock that you are no longer with us.
You are going to be so missed by everyone in the family but you are in heaven now and no doubt looking over your precious little boy's and wife.

I am sorry i can't be there this week with you and the family but i am glad Jared is able to be there.
You are in my thought's and preyer's alway's

Love alway's.
Your cousin
Donna xx

Anonymous said...

I met "Tubes" the first day he arrived in Herat with the initial MARSOC contingent that would replace my Special Forces team.
Tubes was one of the best guys I've ever met in my 30 in the Military.
I am envious of those who knew him for a longer period of time such as his Squadron mates and I grieve for his Wife and Family.
Tubes was truly the best of America and the Marine Corp.
He will never be forgotten!
Semper Fi!
SFC Joe "Sleepy" Cunningham
ODB 2130
20th SFGA

aeallan8151 said...

Sir-
You were a Marine officer with a sense of humor and humility that was unmatched; from your call sign to the way you and I saluted each other, your personality made you one of the greatest Marines I ever served with. To say that I was saddened by your death is an understatement. Your family, the Marine Corps, and the world lost a great man when you left us.
May God bless your family now and forever.
Semper Fi!
Gunny A.

Anonymous said...

Garrett was my fellow Marine Corps officer, the finest man I ever knew, my best friend, and my son.

Garrett was an ideal boy who never once even argued with either his mother or me. He was good looking, bright (two engineering degrees), talented, a great husband and father, and a superb officer.

I commissioned Garrett in December of 1999 in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial and he retired me from the Marine Corps at Beaufort in 2003.

He had been wounded May 29th in an attempt to save the life of an injured Army Special Forces soldier near Shewan and was nominated for the Bronze Star w/V.

Garrett loved life. He was a certified dive master, loved parachuting, and flying as fast as an F-18 could go. He was also funny with an infectious, genuine laugh.

He has a beautiful wife and two wonderful sons.

Yesterday, we sat 10 feet in front of his flag-draped casket as his former squadron roared overhead in a missing-man formation at the Air Station in Beaufort, SC., following a twenty-one gun salute on Aug 14th. Every one who spoke of him echoed these sentiments.

Our son died a hero and also lived his life as hero. We are immeasurably proud of him and will never forget him.

To you fellow Marines who served with Garrett, my thanks for you kind words. May God keep you safe as you carry on the fight. We are not angry. We don't blame anyone. We believe in what you're doing and you have our unending support. God bless you.

Cal/Dad, former Sgt and LtCol, USMC, (retired)

LA said...

I didn't know Capt. Lawton; I don't live in his state. But from Colorado, I thank him, his family and the people who served with him. I am so sorry for your loss. What a hero. A nation is in your debt.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Garrett it is to you I owe a debt of gratitude... You served for the freedom and safety of your country, fought where I was afraid to step foot, and shed blood for me and everyone I know. A simple thanks doesn't scratch the surface! I bought a bracelet off the internet that bares your name. I will where it for AT LEAST six months. During this time I will make a payment to support our troops each month in rememberence of the sacrifices you have made. May a thousand blessings come to your family and be heard throughout the ages of time. Semper Fi

Anonymous said...

Cal ... I just learned about son from a former on-site inspector. My deepest condolences.

M. Yaguchi

Anonymous said...

My son, Marine Captain Garrett Lawton, was laid to rest among our nation's heroes in Arlington National Cemetery December 5th. Just prior to his internment, he was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for his heroism under enemy fire on May 29th. An Army special forces soldier was trapped in the back of his vehicle after it was attacked by RPGs in a coordinated ambush. Garrett was severely burned on his hands and face doing everything he could to pull the man to safety before ammunition and antitank weapons in the vehicle began exploding. He refused to be medevaced and called in 14 airstrikes on Taliban positions after this incident.

Please visit the lawtonfoundation.org to honor a true American hero.

Garrett, I am so proud of you and the life you lived.

"Every man dies but not every man truly lives."

"Arlington is the best America has to offer the best that America has."

I love you, Garrett. I always will.
Dad

Anonymous said...

Please note that the foundation listed in my last comment should be "thelawtonfoundation.org" written as one word without the space.

Thank you,
Cal/Dad