Marine Lance Cpl. Jon T. Hicks Jr.

Died September 10, 2007 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

20, of Atco, N.J.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Sept. 10 while conducting combat operations in Ashraf, Iraq. Also killed was Cpl. Carlos E. Gil Orozco.

Marine from New Jersey killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

ATCO, N.J. — A Marine lance corporal from this southern New Jersey community has been killed in Iraq.

Jon T. Hicks Jr., 20, an infantryman, died Sept. 10 during a combat operation in Al Anbar province, the Department of Defense announced Sept. 12.

Also killed was Cpl. Carlos E. Gilorozco, 23, of San Jose, Calif.

Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Hicks joined the Marines in January 2006 after graduating from Hammonton High School in June 2005. Family members said he aspired to a career in law enforcement.

Hicks grew up on the same street as Navy SEAL David M. Tapper, 32, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2003.

Tapper’s mother, Judith, described the loss of her neighbors’ son as “devastating.”

“When we put David’s name on the marker in Atco, we hoped to heaven we’d never have to put another one up there,” she said.

He is survived by his parents, Jon J. and Cathy Hicks, and a brother, Kyle.