Sergeant Bradley Korthaus

Sergeant of Marines

Bradley Korthaus was a Sergeant in 1st platoon, Charlie Company, 6th Engineer Support Battalian, 4th FSSG. I had the pleasure of serving next to him for aproximatly one year during my Marine Corps career.

My first encounter with Sgt Korthaus came at a price. He was the squad leader of 1st squad, the same squad I was in, and therefore, my squad leader. One day I didn't make it in at my assigned time to report for my drill weekend, and Sgt Korthaus came a lookin'. First he called my phone trying to get ahold of me, then tried my house. I talked to him but gave him an excuse that he later proved not to be true. Before I knew it he was at my house and proceeded to bring me in for drill. No sooner than we got there he had me check out a gas mask and meet him behind one of our buildings. This was a 90 degree day, and pretty humid, so I was curious what he had in mind. He had me put the mask on, and do a variety of calesthenics one after the other untill I almost threw up. I suppose I had it coming.. and I sure respected him later on for showing me my mistakes.

Sgt Korthaus was very strong willed, and a go getter. He was actually no longer enlisted in the Marine Corps after fullfilling his duties, when the war was set to kick off. Korthaus got wind of a deployment and re-enlisted to volenteer to deploy and lead us into the battle.

Sgt Korthaus was with us through our stay in Kuwait, and the initial crossing of the border, as well as the 60 mile trek with the bulk fuel company. Once we got to the water point to set up security, there was a canal flanking an entire side. The other side of the canal had sort of a cliff or hill, so it was hard to see very far past. Higher up's decided that we needed to send a few people over armed and ready, to scout out the other side of the canal. Korthaus, among others, volenteered to swim across in full gear with weapon.

About half way across something went wrong and Sgt Korthaus started to go struggle, then go under. Several attempts to get to him failed and soon he was out of sight. Another Marine, Corpral Evan James, went after him in hopes of saving Korthaus. Not long after, he also went out of sight.

Moral was pretty low for the next day, not knowing if they made it down stream or what exactly happened. Unfortunatly, the next day a dive team recovered the body of Sgt Bradley Korthaus. May you forever REST IN PEACE.