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Pleasant Valley Marine's Family Receive's Posthumous Awards
May 21, 2009 - 6:23:58 PM

Blackanthem Military News

Photo by Tech Sgt. Michael O'Halloran, 105th Airlift Wing.

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH, New York - The family of Marine 1st Lt. Trevor J. Yurista, a Pleasant Valley, New York resident killed in action in Helman Province, Afghanistan on Oct. 27, 2008, receive posthumous awards from Marine Capt. Byron Owen, during a ceremony here on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

From right Lt. Yurista's father Ronald; his mother Donna; his sister Heather Sukunda; and her husband Luke Sukunda, receive the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Yurista, a member of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force was serving with the Force Recon Platoon of Marine Task Force 2/7 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was returning to his base after actions he had ccordinated against insurgent forces.

Lt. Yurista also received the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal from Gov. David Paterson presented by representatives of the New York State Legislature.

The event was hosted by Marine Corps Reserve Air Group 49, Detachment B, which shares Stewart Air National Guard Base with the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing.