Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Liam Flynn, who served from 2006 to 2015 deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Liam Flynn was born in 1981 and hailed from Clane, Ireland. In July 2002, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Queens, New York. He found work as a construction worker but dreamt of joining the Marine Corps.
Once Flynn became a U.S. citizen, he enlisted in the Marines in 2006. He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in 2007 and began his training as an infantryman at the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry. Flynn served with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In April 2010, Flynn began the highly competitive Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command’s Assessment and Selection program. After completing the individual training course, he reported to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Hotel Company. Over the course of his career, Flynn made four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
On March 10, 2015, Flynn died as a result of injuries sustained during a training exercise in Florida. The UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter he was aboard had crashed. Six other Marines and four Louisiana National Guard members died in the crash.
Flynn’s wife Destiny, a member of the Army National Guard, survived him. The two met in 2012 in a Starbucks at Fort Benning while they were both attending airborne school. They married in 2013 and had their daughter Leilani a year later.
Flynn’s medals include a Bronze Star Medal with Valor, a Purple Heart, a Navy and a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor.
We honor his service.
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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.
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An Irish native dedicated to the defense of our nation and worked so hard to achieve hchalkenging goals !! Yet, a tragic ending. May his legacy live on through his wife and daughter. “May the road rise to meet them, the wind be always at their backs, the sun shine warm upon their faces, and may God hold them in the palm of his hand!” Thank you for your sacrificial dedication Liam!!
We honor the service of Liam Flynn.