#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Eden Pearl

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Eden Pearl, who served as a Marine Raider during both the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.

Eden Pearl was born in Fort Bragg, California, but he was raised in Rochester, New York. After graduating high school in 1994, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

After completing basic training, Pearl attended Force Reconnaissance Training and subsequently became a reconnaissance Marine. He served with Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Pearl attended a number of schools including Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Scout Sniper School, and the Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat Coxswain’s Course.

Pearl completed several deployments to Iraq with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In 2006, he served as the lead assault and entry instructor with 2nd Special Operations Training Group. Pearl assisted in the development of the Individual Training Course at the Marine Special Operations School. In 2008, Pearl was assigned as the team chief for Team 8211, Fox Company, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.

In 2009, Pearl deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. While conducting a routine patrol in the Herat Province, the enemy ambushed his team. They detonated an improvised explosive device directly under Pearl’s vehicle. Severely wounded, he retired from the Marines as a master sergeant in 2014. On Dec. 20, 2015, Pearl passed away due to his injuries.

Pearl’s medals include a Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two with Combat ‘V’) and Combat Action Ribbon.

He is survived by his wife Alicia, a Navy corpsman, and their daughter Avery.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

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.

Contributors

Editor: Michelle Cannon

Fact checker: Brittany Hawn

Graphic artist: Kimber Garland