Kerry earned his “Wings of Gold” in 1986 and opted to fly the A/V-8B Harrier. While assigned to VMAT-203 at Cherry Point, NC, his Harrier experienced an unrecoverable flap failure at takeoff, causing the plane to crash a minute into the flight. According to his wingman, Kerry stayed with the broken aircraft to the end, steering the damaged plane away from a populated area near the base.

Always positive and upbeat, Kerry was a natural leader who was admired by everyone. His optimism and enthusiasm for life – always shown in his smile – endeared him to friends and family. President of his high school class and a gifted athlete, Kerry poured his heart into everything he did, never settling for “okay” or average.

He was proud of his family, his life and the U.S. Marine Corps. Kerry left a four-month-old daughter, Amber, along with a caring and devoted wife, Tami. His daughter has grown to become a fine and wonderful young lady, a mother to two beautiful children who would be Kerry’s grandchildren. The lives he touched would never be the same and Kerry would be truly proud of this legacy.