Douglas Jose Marenco-Reyes, 28

Marines, Corporal

Based: Camp Pendleton

4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: May 18, 2003

Samawah (near), Iraq

Married

Gender: Male

Hometown: Chino

Foreign Country of Birth: Nicaragua

Marenco-Reyes' wife got a call from him on Mother's Day 2003, a week before he was killed. "He was so upbeat," she said. "He was more worried about me and the kids than about himself." He was posthumously awarded citizenship for his service to this nation.

Andrew David LaMont, 05/19/2003

Jose F. Gonzalez Rodriguez, 05/12/2003

Nine memories of Douglas Jose Marenco-Reyes

“

It's been almost 9 years since I was a green Marine straight out of MCRD SD, assigned to 4th LAR. I remember my first day with the Battalion, and I remember having the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty as I walked through the parking lot, heading straight into the motor pool where all my soon-to-be friends and brothers in blood were working.

I knew no one. What to expect? No Idea! I JUST finished checking in. Time to meet my section (platoon). I met Gunny Davis who then proceeded to introduced me to everyone there. Guys came forward, shook my hand, and told me how things operated. As our section was carrying out the plan of the day, I walked out to the 5-ton line like I was told, to help out the Marines over there PM the vehicles.

I had no idea what to expect since I did not go to MOS School yet, (I was a 92-day reservist. Sue me).

Walking over the line on that beautiful sunny day in Camp Pendleton, I approach the man in charge: Corporal Marenco. He knew I was a newjoin, and he gave me the best welcome to the 5-ton line any new Marine can receive; being remembered just after one introduction, a welcome smile, and clear orders for the plan of the day.

My unit returned in September 2003, and I was given a phone call from a buddy informing me that Marenco was killed. I barely got to know him, but remembered him as my first mentor in my unit. I was saddened.

Grief, frustration, sadness, and confusion struck me all at once. Confusion as to why such a good Marine had to be taken away that day by the hands of God. Why his family was to be left behind. He will always be remembered by everyone who knew him. A good Marine who's in a better place right now.

Semper Fi, buddy

” — Brian Park, May 2, 2011 at 12:29 a.m.

“

I was there that day. It was a God forsaken deserted stretch of road. The vehicle I was in stopped about 200 yds from the site to provide cover and to avoid the bullets that were cooking off and flying from the burning overturned truck. I remember telling the Marine doing compressions to pick up the pace with CPR and he turned around and it was the SgtMajor himself, I knew he was a CHP officer in civilian life, but I being civilian EMS he did exactly what I asked. We did everything we could with what equipment and supplies we had, after exhausting all our options, we stopped and circled around him and prayed......We were able to save the second person in the vehicle (don't remember his name, Chang maybe?), got him and Marenco loaded in the med-evac helo and then put out the fire on the truck and sat on it till recovery vehicles arrived. I'm sorry we couldn't do more, we really tried...

” — Cpl. Brian Passow, June 26, 2013 at 1:44 a.m.

“

I will always remember my brother Corporal Douglas "Desert Doug" Marenco-Reyes. I remember the morning he passed. He told me he was going on a convoy to give water to a village. I told him to be safe and I would see him when they got back. When I heard the broadcast come over the net about a vehicle rollover I got worried, I did not know who or what vehicle. We were in route to the site. It took over 15 minutes to get there and as we approached the site from about 4 miles away, I could see the black cloud of smoke in the sky coming from what I came to recognize as the LVS 17, (Logistics Vehicle System). The only two Marines I knew who left Dog Town that day were Cpl Marenco and LCpl Rosales.

I started to pray that nothing bad happened to them but I knew that they were working on both Marines as we traveled towards them. When we arrived at the scene I found LCpl Chang the A-Driver being worked on but he showed signs of being alive. I noticed the Corpsmen working on Douglas and everything was quiet. Everyone around him was pulling for him to come back. We even broke out the cammie netting to provide shade for the Marines and the Corpsmen providing CPR. They wouldn't stop trying until 40 minutes passed and the called it. This whole time we waited for the MEDEVAC choppers to touch down. When I saw the bird fly over I threw out my red smoke grenade and we buttoned up my brother in two ponchos.

I remember putting him on the stretcher and myself, SgtMag Joe Sandoval, SSgt Cesar Huezo and a Navy Corpsman taking him to the bird. The other Marines picked up Chang and brought him around the other side of the bird. When the Black Hawk chopper Crew Chief rolled the door open, he asked what me brothers name was,I couldn't quite hear him so I grabbed him by his harness and pulled him toward me as he asked what my brothers name again. I told him "Douglas Marenco, Corporal, USMC and his information is on his arm and tag". He buckled the safety belts and we back up as the hello dusted off it all became black and white, even the red smoke bellowing through the rotor wash.

I knew then that this was the last time I would ever see my brother again. I walked back through the road and noticed all the skid marks on the road and then it hit me. The adrenaline wore off and I began to cry for my brother. Sgt Maj Sandoval came over to me and we talked for a few minutes. All I could think of was his family back home. I was able to bring some peace to questions that troubled his father for sometime after the loss of his son. I hope it brought some closure to your thoughts Mr. Marenco. We all miss you Doug.... Thanks for looking down and keeping us safe. Happy Memorial Day.....
Gunnery Sergeant Martin Lopez

” — Martin Lopez, May 25, 2014 at 4:32 p.m.

“

Corporal Douglas "Desert Doug" Marenco Reyes was the first Marine to congratulate me when I received news of my son Roman Riley Rodriguez birth. It was the first week of May 2003, it was hot and I was pissed not to be there when my son was born. I remember hanging up the SAT phone with tears in my eyes. As I walked away from the company tent Corporal Marenco was the first Marine to stop and asked why I was upset. When I told him about my son, he replied "Why are you mad for? You should be happy because now you have a reason to get your ass home alive." I still remember how he completely changed my attitude. He is a great man and I haven't really told this story to anyone, but his legacy should be remembered. I owe my life to him because of his advice. Rest in peace my brother and Semper Fi. You and your family are always in my prayers.

” — Roman Raymond Rodriguez (Babyface Rod), May 25, 2014 at 5:53 p.m.

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Douglas Jose Marenco-Reyes, 28

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