Born on the Fourth of July

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

– The Declaration of Independence

234 years after the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress, many feel we have lost sight of the courage, determination, and sacrifices that made our republic possible.

But as Ronald Reagan once said, those people just don’t know where to look.

25 years ago today, Jacob Leicht was born in a Navy hospital in Lemoore, Calif. Known to his friends as Jake, he grew up with his adoptive parents on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country near Kerrville, spending his boyhood hiking the rugged hills and chopping trees.

At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, he grew into an impressive man physically. But Jake was also known for his soft heart – and for his brains, which earned him an ROTC college scholarship.

After just one semester he dropped out and enlisted in the Marine Corps. “His greatest fear was that they would tell him he would have to sit at a desk for the rest of his life,” said Jonathan, his older brother. Jake knew his destiny was on the battlefield.

In 2007 Jake deployed to Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. He was there just three weeks when his vehicle drove over two 500-pound bombs buried in the road. Although only one detonated, it was enough. The incredible force of the blast shattered the bones in one of his legs, and the truck’s radio smashed into his face. The unit’s Iraqi interpreter, the only person in the vehicle not seriously injured, dragged him to safety.

Jake was first medevaced to Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center in Germany for stabilization and then on to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. A dozen operations followed. The bones of his leg were held together by an array of surgically placed rods and pins. He spent countless hours in rehab.

But all Jake could think about was getting back into the fight. He inundated the Corps with letters and phone calls from his hospital bed. After two painful years recovering from his injuries, he was finally healthy enough to serve again. In May of this year he deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn, 1st Marine Division.

On Thursday May 27, 2010, while on foot patrol in Helmand province, Cpl. Jacob Leicht stepped on a land mine and became the 1000th U.S. service member to make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

“He said he always wanted to die for his country and be remembered,” said his younger brother Jesse, who enlisted in the Marines Corps just nine days before Jake’s death. “He didn’t want to die having a heart attack or just being an old man. He wanted to die for something.”

This weekend current and former members of the 1st LAR are gathered for a reunion in Las Vegas. A table dedicated to the Fallen will be set up in the ballroom. Among them will be Cpl. Jacob Leicht, United States Marine, born on the Fourth of July.

Semper Fi, Marine. And happy birthday.

Corporal Matt White, a light armored vehicle crewman with Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion renders a salute for long-time friend and fellow Marine, Cpl. Jacob Leicht, who was killed during a patrol through the Rig District here. “He loved this job. He wanted to be an infantryman from the day we signed up,” said White. “When I found out he reenlisted to come here, I thought ‘if he can do it- I can do it,’ so I did. Going back home won’t be the same without him.” Photo: Sgt. Dean Davis.