Cpl. Gurpreet Singh

Camp Pendleton Marine Cpl. Gurpreet Singh, 21, of Antelope, CA, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan in service of Operation Enduring Freedom . Cpl. Singh was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Cpl. Gurpreet Singh was born on September 28, 1989 in India. His family came to the United States in 2000, when he was 11. His sister said he always wanted to be a soldier because he wanted to help people. Cpl. Singh, a Sikh-American enlisted on November 5, 2007 and he served two combat deployments. His service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. A fellow Marine, Cpl. Fort said “Singh was someone everyone could get along with. Whether it be another patrol in hostile territory, or just a morning greeting; Gurpreet would always have a positive attitude”. Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement last Friday morning, extending his deepest condolences to Cpl. Singh’s family and friends. In memorial, Brown ordered the flags over the State Capitol to be flown at half- staff last Friday. Marine Cpl. Gurpreet Singh is survived by his parents Nirmal Singh and Satnam Kaur, his sister Manpreet Kaur, his grandmother Nasib Kaur, grandfather Ajit Singh and many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and close friends who will deeply miss him. There will be a visitation on Friday, July 1, 11am – 10pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 2, at 11am. All services will be held at Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Ln., Fair Oaks, CA 95628.