Marine Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Cpl. Andrew D. Brownfield, 24, of Akron, Ohio.

Cpl Brownfield died due to wounds received from an enemy mortar attack at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.

Members of his family said they last saw him in December, when he came home for Christmas with his fiancée. He went to Iraq in early February.

“He volunteered to go to Iraq,” said Melody Roop, his mother, who lives in nearby Stow. “He did this because he wanted to fight for what he believed in. He was a very strong Marine. He believed in this war, and he wanted to fight for his country to help prevent any more 9-11’s from happening here.”

Roop said she last spoke with him about 10 days ago by telephone. She now treasures a message he recently left on her answering machine, imitating Forrest Gump.

Kirk Brownfield, his father, said Andrew graduated from Akron North High School and worked at various jobs before joining the Marines. “He enjoyed it real well. He liked it more than he didn’t,” he said. “He was a good kid. Everybody was proud of him.”

Brownfield joined the Marines Jan. 3, 2001. His job in Iraq was to hang bombs on planes and helicopters.

“He walked proud,” Roop said. “He had the Marine look, even in civilian clothes.”

Marine Cpl Andrew D. Brownfield was killed in action on 03/18/04.

Rest in Peace, Andy, you are a Hero.