Jeremy S. Sandvick Monroe slain by sniper on 2nd tour of duty

Montana has lost another son in the war on terror.

U.S. Marine Jeremy Scott Sandvick Monroe, 20, of Darby died Sunday in Iraq, one of three Marines killed in action in the western province of Anbar.

Monroe, a lance corporal with the 2/3 Echo Company 4th Platoon, was serving his second tour of duty. He died when a sniper attacked his vehicle.

He was the son of Monte Monroe of Darby and Mellissa Pike of Chinook.

The military reported the deaths of four U.S. troops Sunday in Iraq. None of the names were released.

More than 2,753 U.S. soldiers have died fighting since the Iraq war erupted in March 2003.

Monroe, who grew up in Darby and moved to Chinook at the age of 14 to be with his mother, graduated from Chinook High School in 2004.

On Sunday night, the Monroe family received word. Two Marines knocked on the door.

“You knew damn good and well what it meant,” Monte said.

The Marines relayed that Monroe had been caught by a sniper. He was shot in the head and died instantly, Monte said.

“He was such a fine young man,” Monte said. “He's my hero.”

Monte described his son as a fun-loving young man who loved to play rock music on his guitar.

“He was a wonderful musician. His guitar was like one of his best buddies,” said Monte, who also plays guitar. “We talked about him and my other son who also plays guitar getting together (to play music).”

Monroe also loved the mountains and camping, his father said.

Enlisting in the Marine Corps right out of high school, Monroe hopped on the bus bound for Butte just hours after his graduation commencement, skipping even his family celebration, Monte said. He knew he wanted to be a Marine and defend his country, his father said.

On Monroe's last trip home in August, Monte said, his son laid out his burial plans - just in case. But he didn't want to believe it would happen, he said.

“I knew (Missoula resident) Denny Bedard lost his son (Andrew) and I always kept him in my prayers, but son of a bitch, he (Jeremy) was 20,” Monte said.

Monte and his wife, Dana, Jeremy's stepmother, have taken the news hard, he said. And for Monroe's younger brother, Logan, 13, it has been especially difficult.

“He's doing better,” Monte said. “The first night was difficult. We're all kind of numb, I guess.”

Monroe's body will be shipped back overseas from Iraq on Wednesday and will likely arrive in Chinook near the weekend, when final arrangements will be made for his funeral.

The family plans to have a memorial service in Chinook, east of Havre on U.S. Highway 2. He will be buried farther east in Dodson.

“That's where he wanted to be buried,” Monte said.

Out on the town at a big barbecue get-together in August, lots of people came up and shook Monroe's hand, telling him over and over how proud of him they were, Monte said.

“He said, ‘Dad, that there means more to me than anything,' ” Monte said. “I don't know if people out there know how much it means (to a soldier) to go up to them and show your appreciation.

“I'm proud of all of them.”

The Marine Corps has showed its admiration for Monroe by helping comfort his family, Monte said.

“The Marine Corps has been really good,” he said. “My son's commander called, who was there at the time, and he said he was a very ferocious warrior, an outstanding Marine and an exceptional young man.

“I've been getting calls from all over the world. It's very comforting.”

From the Missoulian