Adam J. Strain, 20

Marines, Lance Corporal

Based: Camp Pendleton

1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: August 3, 2005

Ramadi, Iraq

Engaged

Gender: Male

Hometown: Smartville

High School: Nevada Union High (Grass Valley)

Strain planned to marry his fiancee, Barbary Wycliffe, when he returned from his deployment, but he died two months before he was scheduled to leave.

Nathan K. Bouchard, 08/18/2005

Ernesto R. Guerra, 07/29/2005

Nine memories of Adam J. Strain

“

I knew Adam since we both entered school of infantry about 2 weeks after we both graduated from boot camp. Ever since that day, due to the first letters of our last names being so close to one another, we had been roommates, rackmates, or hooch mates. He was intensely competitive when it came to matters of Marines, and a compassionate friend when the uniforms were set aside for the day. I spoke at his memorial in Ramadi and will stand up to one statement I said that day until I die- When we were on patrol and Lcpl. Strain was taking up last man in the formation, I felt completely secure in only concerning myself with threats from the front because he had my back. I have thought about him everyday since he was taken from us and he still influences decisions I make to this day. I live life the way he would have wanted us to, the way he would have, taking care of one another.

” — Kenneth Voiland, Sgt. USMC, July 29, 2008 at 1:35 p.m.

“

When I first met Lcpl Strain I was a squad leader for a different squad than he was in, but I wished he was in mine and everyone in the platoon wanted him in their squad as well. The platoon was a big family but Lcpl Stain was, for some, the little brother of the family and for others the big brother, the role model and the one that simply put a smile on your face no matter what your day was like or where we were. He was the heart and soul of the platoon. The whole platoon loved him. No one could ever get mad at him for anything. Lcpl Strain always had a big smile on his face and loved his family and fiancée a lot. He always talked about them. When God called him home that hot August day he left a hole in the platoon’s heart, and in mine. I think a lot about Lcpl Strain. He died doing what he loved, being a United States Marine. He was an excellent Marine and a Hero. I will always continue to live my life and career in his memory and honor and all the other Marines that did not come home.

Semper Fi,
SSGT Salinas

” — SSGT.JOE A SALINAS, February 20, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.

“

I meet Adam in 2004 at the School of Infantry at Camp Pendelton Ca, we were both new to the Marine Corps and were in the Machinegunners course. He was a really cool guy and strong guy. I remember getting to know him and i asked him what is name was and replied Adam i was like no way so is mine and after that we got to know one another. After our training we went to our units. The last time i saw him was i was on base visiting another buddy and he was there and he was like whats up and we chatted for a bit and that was it. I rememeber a buddy who was out there with him Oscar Martinez told me about what happened I was like no way it never hit me totally i couldn't believe it that was the closet Marine Buddy i knew that had died. I to did my deployment out there in Ramadi and am sure i walked in his foot steps with him watching over me thank you my friend. Semper Fi Adam Strain.

Sgt Adam Martinez
USMC

” — Adam , December 11, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.

“

Adam-hardly a day goes by that I do not have thoughts of you and your combat death in Iraq. You were one hell of an athlete on our Miner football team and a leader among you 50+ fellow players. You could light up a room with your smile and warm personality. What a great young man your parents raised and how proud they are of you, how proud your Nevada Union Miner football team mates are of their buddy who died for them. You were and always will be a shining light for all the youth in your community here in the Grass Valley, Ca. area. God doesn't make an Adam Strain everyday and I thank him for that gift he gave to your parents and allowing me to know you during your short time with us here on earth. I hope to see you in the near future if I make it through those pearly gates. Put in a good word for me Adam---Coach Black. Nevada Union Miners

” — Jim Black, October 22, 2014 at 4:23 p.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Adam J. Strain, 20

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Nine memories of Adam J. Strain