Fredericksburg.com - Local Marine killed in Iraq
Show All

search local
Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook

Get a printer-friendly version of this page. E-mail this story to a friend.
Make a post about this story on FredTalk.

Sgt. Joshua J. Frazier

Visit the Photo Place

Local Marine killed in Iraq
Local Marine is killed by sniper
BY BRIAN BAER
 Date published: 2/8/2007

BY BRIAN BAER

A scholarship fund has been set up in Frazier's name

Send contributions to: Peoples Community Bank
Attention: Sgt. Joshua Frazier Memorial Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 1567
King George, VA
22485
Phone: 540/775-2914
Fax: 540/775-4841

Joshua J. Frazier was scheduled to return from Iraq in April, but decided to re-up for a third tour.

The newly promoted sergeant didn't want to leave the young Marines he was now leading on their own. By staying, he told friends and family, he believed he could keep his men safe.

The Spotsylvania County Marine was killed by a sniper in Iraq late Monday, his family said yesterday. He was 24.

Frazier had been serving in the Ar Ramadi area of Iraq as part of the Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

His mother, Shelia Cutshall, last spoke with him Sunday night, when he called home with news of his promotion.

"He was upbeat," she said. "I told him I missed him, and he said he missed me, too."

Frazier, who left for his second deployment to Iraq last September, also told her about his plan to extend his stay, and the reasons for that.

To those who knew him best, it was typical Josh.

It was the same guy who would stay with a friend all night after a buddy lost a relative.

It was the same young man who would visit a casual acquaintance in the hospital for hours.

It was the same person who would spend what little free time he had on leave taking family and friends' kids to Lake Anna and birthday parties.

And, above all, they said, it was the same son and brother who would drop anything for his family.

Yesterday afternoon, his mom's house was filled with tangible reminders of the Spotsylvania High graduate.

At one end of the living room, a family friend held onto "Teddy," the stuffed bear Cutshall received as a gift when she was six months pregnant with her second son.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Frazier still slept with the bear when he was home.

On one couch was a blanket with a dragon on it that he had sent his mom for her 50th birthday. A dragon is a sign of strength in Korea, where he once deployed, he told her.


1  2  Next Page  

At least 17 men and one woman with ties to the Fredericksburg area have died in Iraq since the conflict began:

Army National Guard Col. Paul M. Kelly, 45, of Stafford County died Jan. 20, 2007, when his helicopter was shot down near Baghdad.

Army Cpl. Adam Fargo, 22, a medic with relatives in Fredericksburg, was killed July 22, 2006, by a roadside bomb Baghdad.

Marine Cpl. Brett Lee Lundstrom, a 2001 Brooke Point High School graduate, was killed Jan. 7, 2006, by small-arms fire near Fallujah.

Army National Guard Spc. Jeremy Hodge, 20, whose mother lives in Fredericksburg, was killed Oct. 10, 2005, when the convoy he was leading was hit by a bomb near Baghdad.

Marine Cpl. Christopher Weaver, 24, of Spotsylvania was one of four Marine reservists killed in a Jan. 26, 2005, convoy ambush near Haditha.

Army Sgt. Nicholas “Nick” Mason, 20, a National Guardsman from King George, was one of 22 people killed in a Dec. 21, 2004, mess-tent suicide bombing near Mosul.

Army Sgt. David Ruhren, 20, a National Guardsman from Stafford County, also was killed in the mess-tent suicide bombing.

Army Sgt. Jack Bryant Jr. of Dale City was in Muqdadiyah Nov. 20, 2004, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military convoy.

Civilian medic Jeffery Serrett, a 43-year-old Caroline native who lived in Spotsylvania, was shot by an unidentified assailant Nov. 2, 2004, at Abu Ghraib prison between Baghdad and Fallujah. He was working for Halliburton.

Marine Lance Cpl. Caleb Powers, 21, a former Fredericksburg-area resident, was killed by a sniper Aug. 17, 2004, in Ramadi.

Army 2nd Lt. Leonard Cowherd III, 22, of Culpeper was killed by a sniper May 16, 2004, while on a mission near Karbala.

Army Spc. Frank K. Rivers Jr., 23, of Woodbridge suffered heart failure during physical training April 14, 2004, in Mosul.

Army 2nd Lt. Jeff Graham, 24, a 1998 graduate of Brooke Point High School, was killed Feb. 19, 2004, about 50 miles west of Baghdad after a bomb exploded while he led his platoon on foot patrol.

Staff Sgt. Thomas D. Robbins, 27, an Army scout, was killed Feb. 9, 2004, near Mosul when confiscated Iraqi ammunition exploded while he and others were moving it. Robbins grew up in New York, but has relatives in the Fredericksburg area.

Army Regimental Sgt. Maj. Cornell W. Gilmore, 45, of North Stafford was killed Nov. 7, 2003, in a helicopter shot down over Tikrit. He worked for the Judge Advocate General Corps at the Pentagon and was on a brief mission in Iraq.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Sharon T. Swartworth, 43, of Alexandria, who spent weekends at a summer home at Lake Anna in Orange County, also worked for JAG and died with Gilmore.

Army Staff Sgt. David Parson, 30, was shot seven times July 6, 2003, as his vehicle approached Baghdad. The father of three had married into the Belman family of Stafford County.


Date published: 2/8/2007



Most recent reader comments:

Viewing 5 out of 31 comments. (Sorted in reverse order, with most recent post at the top.)

Display comments on this page. | Sort:

PLEASE READ: These reader comments are not moderated. Each user is solely responsible for any message (s)he posts here. The Free Lance-Star does not endorse the views expressed within these comments. All users who post to this Web site must agree to the terms of the FredTalk User Agreement. We rely on our readers to police themselves, and report any content that violates our User Agreement. In accordance with our User Agreement, we reserve the right to remove any post at any time for any reason, and will restrict access of registered users who repeatedly violate our terms. Any reader can report inappropriate content by clicking the "Report this post to admins" link at the bottom of each comment. You need not be registered to report a post.

Manners Doesn't Cost A Thing... (posted by NeverForgotten , Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)    0 likes
I was talking to Josh's Dad about how all the Frazier men has such great manners. It was not uncommon for Josh to jump up and give a lady his seat. He was quick to open a door or carry some groceries for a stranger. Josh's Dad said that his father instilled in him that manners didn't cost a thing. Giving respect attracted respect in return. Josh showed an abundance of manners and kindness to everyone he met. Respect and manners is the Frazier legacy, and Josh had it in abundance. RIP Josh

Rest in Peach Josh Frazier (posted by NeverForgotten , Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)    0 likes
You are one of the fallen, honered marines who made the ultimate sacrifice for our county, and we want to thank you for that. You have set an example for all of us to live life with honor, passion and purpose. How did you get so brave and wise at just the young age of 24? You have raised the bar for all of us to live a life of high moral standards. A life that shows consideration of others and a shared smile. You will be remembered as an honored marine, hero, a son, brother, precious nephew and cousin. RIP

Super Hero (posted by NeverForgotten , Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)    0 likes
How do you tell your kids that a loved one has passed away? Death is a concept that is difficult to grasp when you are only 9 and 3 years old. When I told my little boy that Josh fought the bad guys and now he is in heaven, he quickly exclaimed - Josh is a Super Hero! He is like one of the Invincibles. Out of the mouth of babes come the most honest truths. That's how Josh will always be thought of by his young cousins. A super hero that has fought the bad guys to keep us safe. RIP Josh Frazier

I remember a time... (posted by NeverForgotten , Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)    0 likes
...when Josh wanted to help his 5 year old cousin fly her kite. None of the adults could get this huge airplane shaped kite to fly. Josh was determined not to let his cousin down so he took off running across the field. He ran so hard his pants began to fall down. With one hand on the kite string and one hand trying to keep a hold of his pants, it was quite a hilarious scene. We all laughed so hard. Josh finally got the kite to fly, and was once again he was a hero in the eyes of a little girl.

In our thoughts and prayers (posted by mariamcphillips , Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)    0 likes
I first met Josh at Stef's bridal shower when he stopped by to say hi to the ladies! He was friendly and charming as he made sure to greet everyone there. After he'd gone I realised he'd left without his shoes but according to Rick this was nothing new! I'll remember Josh with a smile as I'm sure will the many other people who had the good fortune to meet him. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Maria & Nat

What do you think?
Enter your FredTalk username and password to post a comment on this story. If you are registered on FredTalk or another part of this site, use that login here. Otherwise, you can just REGISTER here... .

Posting guidelines

1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
2. Please avoid offensive, vulgar, abusive, hateful or defamatory language.
3. Agree to read & follow THE RULES.
4. Use the "report to admins" link for posts which violate the rules. 5. Keep it on-topic. Posts which contribute nothing of value to the conversation will be deleted.

Username:
Password:

Post title:


Please keep it brief (Limit is 512 characters). Please note, attempts to circumvent this limit by making
multiple posts back-to-back (ex: 'continued', 'part1, 2', etc) will be deleted.

Please make sure CAPS LOCK is off. Posts in ALL CAPS will be deleted.)


By checking this box, you agree to the terms of the FredTalk User agreement.







The Free Lance-Star fredericksburg.com 93.3 WFLS Print Innovators Classic Rock 96.9 99.3 The Vibe wntx radio
Copyright 2012, The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co. of Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
Permissions - Privacy Policy - Send email to Support Staff - Send email to the News Team
To contact all other newspaper departments, please click here or call 540-374-5000.
To contact the Free Lance–Star please use the following numbers:
Main Switchboard: 540-374-5000, Advertising: 540-374-5460, Classifieds: 540-374-5001, Subscriber Services: 540-374-5002, Toll-free:800-877-0500