Lance Cpl. Joshua S. Leventhal, a grenadier with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, completes Sgt. Joe L. Wrightsman’s battlefield cross by placing boots and identification tags on the monument during a memorial service at Patrol Base Jaker, Afghanistan, July 30. Wrightsman died supporting combat operations July 18.
PATROL BASE JAKER, Afghanistan — Cpl. Joe L. Wrightsman gave his life trying to save an Afghan policeman drowning in Afghanistan’s Helmand River July 18. And while the two would ultimately become victims of the powerful currents, Wrightsman’s actions weren’t in vain.