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"Always in the front of the line, where imminent danger lurked. He never let a fellow marine go, where he had not cleared it first." Hero Stars Honors Our American Hero Corporal Curtis J. Duarte, USMC Hometown: Covina, California Curtis graduated from Covina High School in 2008 where he played baseball at the high school. he also attended San Diego State University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2008 following in the footsteps of his father, Joe. Gold Star Father Joe Duarte- Curtis came from a family with 3 older siblings that helped shape him into the man he became. He entered the delayed entry program for the Marine Corps in the last few weeks of his senior year. His sister was always pushing him to go Navy, but deep down he was determined to live out his dream of becoming a U. S. Marine. Curtis lived his marine life always placing the welfare and safety of his brothers before himself. When his leadership would ask for volunteers, Curtis would always tell them, "I got this sir!" I remember his mom telling him one day when saying their goodbyes on the phone, "Take care of your self", he responded by telling her, "No mom....take care of them....I will see to it that they all go home to their families!" Curtis always took pride in what he possessed as a marine. The honor, loyalty, integrity, commitment, devotion and courage are just some of the characteristics of the man he became. Marine Lance Cpl. Curtis J. Duarte 22, Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died Aug. 1, 2012 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Let the memory of Curtis J. Duarte be with us forever..... Semper Fi He always possessed a true warrior spirit within his being. Curtis and all of our fallen will forever be remembered for their ultimate sacrifice and bravery.
You will forever be my baby brother, my hero, my reason for pushing forward most days, my guardian angel. I loved you as more than just a Marine. You are a brother, in ways a son, and a best friend to me. Always have and always will. I love you forever, even though you've gone, will remember you tomorrow, the whole year long. Even though we are apart, taken too soon, I see you in the stars, in the face of the moon. You're memory unending and furthermore still, I'll love you my brother and I always will.