Marine Corp James was assigned to Engineering Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Peoria, Ill. Drowned while attempting to cross the canal - ordered into water with full gear on by his Major. Remains recovered on March 25. He and another Marine were trying to set up weapons on the opposite bank to protect a water-purification team. Concerns about the incident have been sparked by an account of the incident from a Washington Times photographer embedded with his unit, who said the Marines tried to swim across weighed down by heavy equipment. "These two guys went into the water with full camouflage gear and rifles and sank to the bottom like a rock," the photographer, J.M. Eddins, told his newspaper from Iraq. "Everyone is really ... [angry] about this. It was just a needless, tragic accident." If the Marines wanted a few good men, in Evan James they got the best. He played football and basketball in high school before graduating in 2000. He joined the reserves in Peoria to help pay for his studies at Southern Illinois University, and wanted to be a physical fitness trainer. "He considered the Marines the best of the best," said his mother, Donna James. After he was deployed in February, James communicated with his family through letters. He often described his duties, among them building a gas pipeline. Evan was a leader in everything. If it needed to be done, he did it.
Marine Corp James was assigned to Engineering Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Peoria, Ill. Drowned while attempting to cross the canal - ordered into water with full gear on by his Major. Remains recovered on March 25. He and another Marine were trying to set up weapons on the opposite bank to protect a water-purification team. Concerns about the incident have been sparked by an account of the incident from a Washington Times photographer embedded with his unit, who said the Marines tried to swim across weighed down by heavy equipment. "These two guys went into the water with full camouflage gear and rifles and sank to the bottom like a rock," the photographer, J.M. Eddins, told his newspaper from Iraq. "Everyone is really ... [angry] about this. It was just a needless, tragic accident." If the Marines wanted a few good men, in Evan James they got the best. He played football and basketball in high school before graduating in 2000. He joined the reserves in Peoria to help pay for his studies at Southern Illinois University, and wanted to be a physical fitness trainer. "He considered the Marines the best of the best," said his mother, Donna James. After he was deployed in February, James communicated with his family through letters. He often described his duties, among them building a gas pipeline. Evan was a leader in everything. If it needed to be done, he did it.
Bio by: Brenda N
