Marine Raider killed in combat in Iraq

On Saturday, August 10, a Marine Raider was killed in action during combat operations in Iraq. Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Koppenhafer, a Critical Skills Operator (CSO) assigned to the 2^nd Marine Raider Battalion (2^nd MRB) was fatally wounded while providing combat support to Iraqi Security Forces.

In a press release, the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) stated, “It is with heavy hearts that Marine Forces Special Operations Command announces the death of a Marine Raider following injuries sustained during combat action in Iraq…our most sincere thoughts are with the family and teammates of Gunnery Sergeant Koppenhafer during this difficult time. MARSOC is providing care and support to Gunnery Sergeant Koppenhafer’s family; we urge respect for their privacy as they grieve this incredible loss.”

Gunny Koppenhafer joined the Marine Corps in 2005. He served as a machine-gunner and scout sniper with the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marines and had two deployments with the 31^st and 11^th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU). In 2009, he attempted and successfully passed the arduous Assessment and Selection (A&S) and Individual Training Course (ITC) programs, from the latter he graduated as the honor graduate. Later in his career, Gunny Koppenhafer was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant for his actions during a deployment to Afghanistan (he deployed three additional times in the country). Last year, he was selected as MARSOC’s 2018 Critical Skills Operator of the Year.