#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran Greg Wright

Veteran of the Day graphic created by Alexandra Craig for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Greg Wright. Greg served during the Global War on Terror.

Greg served in the Marine Corps from 1996 to 2000. During his service, Greg completed Officers’ Candidate School, the Infantry Officer Course, the Scout-Sniper School and the Army Intelligence School.

After is time in the Marines, Greg began a career as a special security services officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he was responsible for protecting key individuals around the world.

In late 2005, Greg was serving an overseas assignment in the Middle East. On Dec. 7, 2005, while transporting three fellow CIA officers from an assignment back to base, Greg and his fellow officers were caught in an ambush. Driving the vehicle, Greg led the combatants on a 25-mile chase before his vehicle was finally disabled. The officers were then forced to abandon their vehicle and take defensive positions. Despite the ensuing chaos, Greg remained calm and collected. During the subsequent firefight while shielding one of his fellow officers, Greg was mortally wounded. After the assailants relented, the remaining officers were rescued and treated at a nearby clinic.

Greg is interred at the Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia. For his selfless sacrifice and brave actions, Greg became one of only 113 individuals to be awarded a star on the CIA Wall of Honor. He is remembered by his friends and family for his generous spirit and sense of humor.

We honor his service.

Memorial Day Awareness

This month, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that connects Americans to the sacrifices made daily by the U.S. military, Veterans, first responders and their families to commemorate the “Memorial May” awareness campaign. The VA will share the stories of service members and Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in “Veteran of the Day” posts leading up to Memorial Day 2019.

Contributors

Editor: Geoffrey Townsley

Fact checker: Jordan Gossett

Graphic design: Alexandra Craig