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Marines probe death of Hempfield grad in Iraq

Former countian on second tour of duty.

Jun 08, 2009 10:44 EST

Lancaster

By TOM MURSE, Staff Writer

The 2006 Hempfield graduate killed in Iraq on Friday was on his second tour of duty there since enlisting with the Marines after high school, a spokesman for his unit said today.

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Lance Cpl. Robert D. Ulmer, 22, died as a result of a "non-hostile incident" in Anbar province, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

No further details about the incident have been released by the government.

"It is being investigated, and that's the extent of the information I have," said Maj. Cliff W. Gilmore, of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Ulmer was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group.

Lt. Col. Dan Sullivan, in a message to fellow members of the unit posted on its Web site, called Ulmer's death a "tragic loss."

"He died in a non-hostile incident on the 5th of June and his remains are on their way home," Sullivan wrote. "I would ask that you remember his family and friends in your prayers."

Ulmer was the son of Douglas and Kim Ulmer, formerly of Stanley Avenue in Landisville. The family, who now live in Arizona, declined to comment and requested privacy through Mr. Ulmer's former employer here.

Gilmore said Ulmer joined the Marines on July 31, 2006, the summer he graduated from high school. He had been an infantryman.

He was first deployed to Iraq from September 2007 to April 2008, and was sent back with his unit for the second time in March.

"Their mission, generally, was to provide security and assistance in training and development of the local Iraqi forces," said Gilmore.

During his brief time in the Marines, Ulmer was awarded the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Ulmer was married to Rebecca L. Feeser on Sept. 19, according to county records.

He is at least the eighth U.S. soldier with ties to Lancaster County to die in Iraq since 2003.

Staff writer Tom Murse can be reached at tmurse@LNPnews.com or 481-6021.

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Robert, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I was devastated for your wife and your family when I first heard the news.

rottiemom

This young, courageous man had already served one tour in that God-forsaken country. Why does our military insist on sending our troops back there over and over again?

He survived his first tour and should never have been sent on another. It's no wonder there are so many mishaps, friendly-fire incidents and service members going berserk killing their own comrades. It's disturbing enough that our soldiers are dying by enemy hands, but because of the actions of our government and military, we're losing the lives of our soldiers unnecessarily.

Are we sacrificing our troops for a lost cause, and, is it all about the oil?

pinkerton

RIP LCPL ULMER

There's NO WAY this young man should have been on his 2nd combat tour since 1996. 1 year, 3 mos IN, 3 mos OUT, another 1 year, 3 mos IN. Despicable and disrespectful to those who serve.

TheOtherSide

thank you for your service, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
to everyone that disagrees with his service in iraq keep your comments to yourself as his family is suffering their loss. As terrible as this is people do not need to make things worse for them with their little remarks about him having no business to be deployed in iraq. his death was a non hostile incident maybe you guys should look up what it means.
again thanks for your service and to his family i am sorry for your loss. all of you are in my prayers

marinewife

As a guy who spent 12 long months in the heart of Fallujah, which is now free of US forces, I can tell you that there are 100 ways to die over there. Even if the LCPL was tucked safe in Al Asaad or on the border, things just happen.

Thanks for your service and sacrifice my brother and those of us who survived the GREAT AMERICAN MISTAKE will never allow everyone else to forget your sacrifice and will remind people that the BEST WAY to memorialize your sacrifice is by making the country better: help other people, volunteer, join the local EMS, run for school board, vote for people who care about the majority of people and who understand sacrifice, etc.

MORE THAN DUTY--8th Marines

Panzerschreck

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