Marine Corps Sergeant Kevin Balduf

Marine Corps Sergeant Kevin Brian Balduf, 27, of Nashville, Tennessee, was assigned to the 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was killed on May 12, 2011, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. He was working with a team mentoring Afghan police when an Afghan National Civil Order Police member opened fire.

Sgt Balduf grew up in Nashville and graduated from David Lipscomb High School in 2002, where he played football. He had always dreamed of becoming a Marine and entered boot camp shortly after graduation. During nearly nine years of service, he deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.

Sgt Balduf was remembered as a courageous, humble Marine and a devoted family man. Staff Sergeant Misty Rye, a longtime friend, recalled, "He was an exceptional guy. There was nothing he couldn't do." His wife remembered his gentle nature and deep love for their daughters, describing the joy he found in everyday family activities, from playing outdoors to watching football together.

Sgt Balduf was survived by his wife and two daughters.