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KERRY M. KEMP

March 10, 2015

Name:

SSgt Kerry M. Kemp

Hometown:

Port Washington, Wisconsin

DOB:

August 8, 1987

DOP:

March 10, 2015

Entered Service:

July 2007

Deployments:

He deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, in 2008, serving as a machine gunner. In October 2013 Staff Sergeant Kemp deployed with MSOT 8231 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Units:

Combat Logistics Battalion-7, 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion, MSOT 8231.

Education:

In July of 2007 he shipped to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., for boot camp. Upon completion of boot camp in October 2007 he attended Marine Combat Training and Military Occupations Specialty School where he became an Artillery Mechanic, MOS 2131.Sgt. Kemp attended the MARSOC Assessment & Selection Preparation and Orientation Course (ASPOC) and MARSOC Assessment & Selection Class 01-11 (A&S) and was selected to attend the Individual Training Course. In April 2011 Sgt. Kemp executed orders to Marine Special Operations School, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to attend the Individual Training Course Class 2-11. Sergeant Kemp completed ITC and graduated in May 2012 with Class 3-11.

Awards & Decorations:

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat distinguishing device and Gold Star in lieu of Second Award, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star in lieu of Second Award and the Navy and Marine Corps Gold Parachutist Wings.

Survived By:

Kerry is survived by his wife, Jenna Kemp-Klarner, and their children, Makenzie and Wesley Kemp.

Honoree Bio:

Kerry Michael Kemp, 27, of Port Washington, passed away on March 10, 2015 in a helicopter crash during a nighttime training exercise in the pan handle of Florida. Kerry was born August 8, 1987 in Memphis, TN to Dwight Eric Kemp and Kristina Goldsby Wild. Kerry moved to Port Washington as a tenth grader in 2003. After high school, he went to work at Cramer Coil & Transformer and began studying to become a registered nurse at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. in July 2007 and served as an Artillery Mechanic. In December 2007, he married his high school sweetheart, Jenna (Fowler) Kemp.

Kerry and Jenna moved to Twentynine Palms, California in March 2008 where he was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion-7. He was meritoriously promoted to Corporal and deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, serving as a machine gunner. Returning from Iraq, he was again meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In September 2010, then Sgt Kemp attended the Marine Corps Forces Special Operation Command (MARSOC) Assessment & Selection Course. Staff Sergeant Kemp went on to complete the MARSOC Individual Training Course and earned the primary Military Occupational Specialty of 0372 in May 2012.
Sgt Kemp received orders to Camp Lejeune, NC to serve with 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion as a Critical Skills Operator. In November 2012 Staff Sergeant Kemp was assigned to Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) 8231. In October 2013 Staff Sergeant Kemp deployed with MSOT 8231 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During his deployment Staff Sergeant Kemp participated in over 30 combat full spectrum special operations missions resulting in over 100 enemy kills in action. Staff Sergeant Kemp served as the MSOT's weapons sergeant during the deployment and was responsible for the training, maintenance and employment of the team's weapons systems during combat operations.

Staff Sergeant Kemp returned from deployment in March 2014 for the birth of his daughter, Makenzie. He enjoyed playing with his daughter, doing work around the house and spending time with family. After a brief leave period Staff Sergeant Kemp continued his training with MSOT 8231 to prepare for his upcoming deployment.

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