Jonathan Yale came from a humble background in Burkeville, Virginia. Born in January 1987, he enlisted in the Marines not long after graduating from Prince Edward County High School in 2006. Growing up, he was known for his humor and was noted by his mother to be a “class clown, even when he wasn’t at school.”
In the Marines, Yale served as an anti-tank missileman of Mobile Assault Platoon 4, Weapons Company, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Yale’s budding career in the Marine Corps was cut short on April 22, 2008 while deployed to Balad, Iraq, in the city of Ramadi. Yale had partnered with 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter when, at 7:30 a.m., a blue truck came barreling into the gate that Yale and Haerter had been guarding along with Iraqi police. Yale and Haerter immediately engaged with the truck. The truck and approximately 2,000 pounds of explosives detonated, killing both Yale and Haerter. Their actions saved the lives of over 50 Marines and Iraqi police.
The damages were devastating. Twenty-four brick houses were destroyed, along with a mosque, other buildings and homes. However, all of the Marines stationed near the explosion survived. Yale was only weeks away from returning home to his wife and baby daughter, while Haerter had just begun his tour.
Both Marines were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross to honor their sacrifice.
We honor his service.
America250
VA is highlighting 250 Veterans leading up to July 4, 2026, which marks 250 years of independence. Learn more about the count down to 250 years of the American spirit at the America 250 web page.
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It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Writer: Sarah McDonald
Editors: Mary Margaret Brennan, Ashley Shaut
Researcher: John Bergstrom
Graphic Designer: Jaylon Buckles
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