Marine Drowns Saving 2 Boys Off North Carolina Beach

FoxNews ^ | May 08, 2007

[bnelson44]

ALMA, Mich. — A U.S. Marine drowned after saving two children who were swimming off Atlantic Beach in North Carolina, the military said.

Master Sgt. Michael Wert, an intelligence chief for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point in Havelock, N.C., was vacationing this past weekend with his family at the beach when he saw two boys struggling in the surf, the Marines said in a statement.

His wife, Debbie, said her husband rushed into the water to help while she went to call 911. Their daughter, Katrina, grabbed a boogie board and followed Wert, a Michigan native, into the water.

"She managed to help the boys onto the board, but didn't see her dad with them," Debbie Wert said in the statement. "The one little boy told her (Michael Wert) had to let them go and had died."

Rescue personnel found Wert but could not revive him.

Wert joined the Marines in 1989 after graduating from Alma High School, where he was a cross-country runner, The Saginaw News reported. He served in Operation Desert Storm and supported Operation Iraqi Freedom.

[pissant]

Heartbreaking. RIP.

[anymouse]

A true Marine until the end.

Semper Fi, R.I.P., Master Sgt. Michael Wert.

[potlatch]

ping

[RepoGirl]

Sounds like the daughter was a chip off the old block — a hero just like her Dad. What a shame we had to lose him. He sounded like a good man.

[kinoxi]

?

[null and void]

No better friend, no worse enemy.

[Cindy]

May God bless Mr. Wert’s family.

[scott7278]

Always faithful, to the very end. Rest in Peace, good sir.

[SandRat]

Jhn 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

[TASMANIANRED]

No greater love than this to lay down his life for a friend.

Salute Sir.

A Fine Marine.

Wiping a tear away.

[garyhope]

This is a damn shame, but of course typical of a US Marine to put others above himself.

Sounds like his daughter is good material and reared right also.

[Liberty Valance]

Rest in Peace Marine. You did good.

[Dubya]

Soldier rest, Gently pressed,
To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.

SEMPER FI MARINE, GOD BLESS YOU

[jrooney]

Our dear Lord must have needed another brave Marine to guard the pearlie gates. God speed and prayers to your family. Semper Fi.

[I got the rope]

Marines never cease to amaze me. Prayers for the family.

[PGalt]

Condolences to Michael Wert’s family and friends. America’s finest! Without men like you, we would not be here.

[MEG33]

Prayers for this brave Marine’s family.

[TWhiteBear]

SEMPER FI
Rest in Peace, Marine.
Hand Salute!

[Lancer_N3502A]