NICOLAS J. JURON, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LTjg Nick Juron, USN '02 was lost on December 13, 2005 when his SH-60 Seahawk crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Columbia during anti-drug operations. His helicopter had just launched from USS DeWert (FFG 45). The two other crew aboard were also killed.

A native of Lexington Park, Maryland, Nick received a perfect score on his SAT, was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association, and earned a spot on the USA Rugby team. He was remembered a friend, teammate, and classmate as "one of the smartest guys I knew as well as a fierce competitor both on and off the pitch."

Nick has a memorial marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

To Honor! ⚓

http://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/NICOLAS_J._JURON,_LT,_USN

MATTHEW C. FREEMAN, CAPT, USMC

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

Capt. Matt Freeman, USMC '02 was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 7, 2009. A naval aviator, he was embedded with the Fourth Marines Embedded Training Team when he was killed by rifle fire. (His wings were those of his grandfather, a RADM, and his father, CDR Gary Freeman '76).

A Marine remembered:

As we moved in and took fire a bullet hits in between me and Capt Freeman and goes through the floor. We rush out and charge the hill with our other brothers. I remember seeing Matt majestically pull an Afghan rifleman by the belt to pull him back in the midst of fire because he was so scared he was going to get hit and wouldn’t move. Matt returned fire and talked on the radio to the apaches above and looked like a combat angel. I’ve never seen somebody so cool. We made the decision to move to higher ground and Matt and I cleared a home and made for the roof. There was a lull in the fighting. We started talking and he told me about his wife, a precious girl, and how he couldn’t wait to talk to her on the phone with her later. I then snapped a photo of us looking cool. The fighting picked back up when I felt a bullet hit near my feet and I said we need to get down. “You go first, I’ll cover you.” Those were the last words he said to me.

I still hurt ten years later. I miss a friend I only knew for about 16 hours more than anyone should. And getting to know his precious family has been a joy. Matt will be remembered as the coolest, strongest, most courageous man I know. My sons will know him and honor him like I do. Matt, you are sorely missed, even ten years later. I love you, man. I can’t wait to finish our conversation as we praise God together in Heaven.

Matt was survived by his wife, parents, grandparents, two sisters, brother, and many other loving nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/MATTHEW_C._FREEMAN,_CAPT,_USMC

JOHN J. HOUSTON, LT, USN

★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★

LT John "Joe" Houston, USN '02, was lost on October 28, 2009 when the T-34 plane he was aboard crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.

"Joe was the embodiment of the Naval Academy mission. He was disciplined, methodical, quick to praise others, selfless in his time with friends, a servant who participated in humanitarian causes outside the Academy, and above all else, wholly devoted to the Navy and his country. The hallmarks of Joe that we in 2nd Company came to know were: a pristine uniform, flawless physical conditioning, a humble manner, and perhaps a late study light that always seemed to be burning. Joe was an exemplary midshipman, scholar and patriot who yearned to be a leader."

Later: "He loved being an engineer, adventuresome, loved Texas A&M (that's where his dad went), always had an A&M hat on during liberty. Some of his stories I can't tell in public...but one of the funnier ones, we had finished a Friday parade, showered, ready to go out on a Friday night for dinner, movie, etc, he can't find his keys anywhere...we're all tearing apart his room, the 3-1 deck, wardroom, etc. No luck. Finally decide to either walk or another person go get his illegally parked car. We walk outside Gate 3 by the chapel, his car is parked there, keys in the ignition, running, lights on; he had gone to get his parked car, got a spot outside the gate, and just gone blonde on us..."

Joe was survived by his son Asher, fiancée Jennifer, parents, brother, and sister-in-law.

To Honor! ⚓

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/JOHN_J._HOUSTON,_LT,_USN