--- title: "These Moving Photos Underscore Sacrifice Made By Marines In Chattanooga Shooting" date: "2016-04-21" modified: "2016-04-21" authors: - name: "James Clark" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/james-clark.md" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/moving-photos-underscore-sacrifice-made-marines-chattanooga-shooting/" categories: - "Around the World" - "Marine Corps" - "Military Branches" - "News" - "United States" tags: - "Northern Command" - "Terrorism" --- # These Moving Photos Underscore Sacrifice Made By Marines In Chattanooga Shooting ![]() A private Purple Heart ceremony for the Marines killed in Chattanooga reveals the risk facing service members, at home or abroad, and the incredible sacrifice made by military families. The ceremony was held at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 20 to honor the four Marines killed during the Chattanooga shootings. The families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, 40, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, 35, Lance Cpl. Skip Wells, 21, and Sgt. Carson Holmquist, 25, were honored at the event, reports [MRCB TV, an NBC news affiliate in Chattanooga.]() Related: What we know about the Marines killed in Chattanooga » On July 16, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire on a Marine recruiting station in Chattanooga, and then drove seven miles to a nearby naval facility. That’s where the four Marines and the gunman were killed. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, 26, was also shot that day, and succumbed to his wounds on July 18. The shooter, Abdulazeez, was shot and killed by police. An investigation by the FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service into Abdulazeez’s motive determined the attack was inspired by a foreign terror group, making the Marines eligible for the Purple Heart. ![]() The families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, were presented the Purple Heart honoring the Marines sacrifice, at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 20, 2016.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. John Lee, II The commanding general for Marine Forces Reserve, Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian presented the Purple Heart medals to the families. The command staff with the Chattanooga police department and the town’s mayor, Andy Berke, attended to pay their respects. ![]() Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian, commander of Marine Forces Reserve presents the Purple Heart to the families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire Wells at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. John Lee, II “Our brothers were taken from us; your sons, your husbands, your fathers, your brothers were taken from us,” McMillian said during the ceremony. ![]() Purple Hearts line the table, during a ceremony honoring the Marines killed in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. John Lee, II ![]() Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Maj. Christopher Cotton, prepare to present the Purple Heart to the families of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas J. Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire Wells at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 20, 2016.U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. John Lee, II “But what cannot, and will not ever be taken from us is the incredible impressions they made on each and every one of us,” said McMillian. ![]() The Marines were honored for giving their lives to protect others when they were attacked by a gunman at the Naval Operational Support Center and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Chattanooga on July 16, 2015.U.S. Marine Corps photo by MSgt. John Lee, II ## Author James Clark is the editor-in-chief of Task & Purpose. He is a Marine veteran and former combat correspondent. He deployed twice to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, first to Marjah in 2010, and then to Kajaki and Sangin in 2011. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]() ## More - [What We Know About The Marines Killed In Chattanooga]() - [Why The Soldier Killed In Orlando Could Receive A Purple Heart]() - [Florida senators are pushing for Purple Hearts for service members wounded in the NAS Pensacola shooting]() - [UNSUNG HEROES: The Combat-Decorated Marine Who Sprang Into Action When The Washington Navy Yard Was Attacked]() - [3 sailors killed in NAS Pensacola shooting will receive Purple Hearts]() - [National Guard soldier awarded Soldier’s Medal for stopping shooting at high school football game]() - [Helmet That Saved An Orlando Cop Is American Made, Combat Tested]() - [This Decorated Marine Was Killed Trying To Help A Crashed Driver]()