Celebrate the Life and Memory of
Hospitalman (FMF) Daniel S. Noble
11-11-1985 to 7-24-2007
Hn Daniel S. Noble, 21, of Whittier, Calif., KIA Tuesday, July 24, 2007 in Dilaya Province, Iraq. A United States Navy Corpsman: Daniel, "Doc" Noble was permanently assigned to 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He deployed to Iraq with Kilo 3/12 battery in late March
He Was Always a Hero
On July 24, 2007 HM Daniel (Doc) Noble was killed by an insurgent IED attack. Doc Noble was the drivers side passenger in the 4th vehicle of a 43 vehicle convoy passing through the Diyala province of Iraq. Doc Noble, 21 of Whittier California, was in the Navy but assigned as one of several corpsman to Kilo Battery. There is a very special bond between the Navy corpsman and the Marines. The corpsman is responsible for quickly assessing a Marines' injuries, stabilizing them and preparing them for transport. Many times their job is performed while under fire from the enemy. BY Tony Neria.
Mr. Neria maintains a blog that updates family and friends on the status of his son-in-law Samuel Nichols who was severely injured by the road side bombs that killed Daniel Noble and three Marines, Cpl. Mathew Zindars, Cpl. James Heath McRae and Lcpl Robert Lynch.
“There is no person more respected and loved by Marines than their “Doc†- their Corpsman who shares the hardship and misery of combat to save Marines lives, sometimes sacrificing their own. Navy Corpsman are true hero’s to all of us who wore the Marine uniform†Lt Gen. Michael A. Hough, USMC (Ret), Former Deputy Commandant of Aviation
"Doc" Noble was a fast learner who quickly became proficient as a corpsman. As a corpsman the title Doc must be earned. Noble accomplished this quickly because he was always right behind his Marines. He was selfless and always wore a smile on his face."
On July 7th 2007, Doc Noble's convoy was escorting buses full of Iraqi soldiers. The bus ahead of them was hit by an IED killing and wounding several Iraqi soldiers. Daniel got out of his vehicle and ran through the kill zone to treat wounded Iraqi soldiers who had been hit by small arms fire. Doc Noble pulled several of the Iraqi soldiers to safety and treated them as he was being fired upon by insurgents. He has been awarded the Navy and Marines Achievement Medal with "combat distinguishing device" which is a little "v" pin for this superior performance of his duties. His mother has received his medal from the Navy. A scan of the certificate is in a blog entry here. We hope to get a photo of the medal later.
Daniel was funny, brave, kind, helpful, human, real, in a way few are. He made a huge impact on many lives. He was very tall, at least 6 foot 7 or 8 but he could still make himself blend in or even be invisible. He had to dip to get under a lot of door frames. He was blond with blue eyes, sensitive, complex, quick to smile, a prankster, kind and caring. He was not intimidated by anything except maybe crying girls. He played football, basketball and other sports in high School. He loved Paint ball and Karate. He collected Christmas Nutcrackers, liked Transformers, Anime, Dragons, scorpions and snakes. He loved motor bikes, swords and knives, He was passionate about his interests and beliefs, open minded and curious about all kinds of things. He liked to cook. He liked to watch movies. He liked to roughhouse and wrestle with friends, He was mischievous, he was serious about his work, He treasured his friendships. Many of his friends thought of him as a brother. He was always there when a friend needed him. He had a small tattoo of the Kanji character for Noble (Nobility or Honor) above his heart. He seemed wiser than his years and had good sense and great compassion.
We all say rest in Peace, but somehow I can't imagine Daniel resting for long. He is probably playing paint ball with the Saints or helping the angels with healing, or guiding lost spirits to the light and protecting others. Perhaps he is climbing up and Rappelling down the pearly gates, or just getting everybody laughing. I don't know if God ever needs cheering up but if anyone could do it, it would be Daniel. I'm also sure Daniel will not let a little thing like being dead get in the way of watching over his friends, family and comrades. He also loved to have fun and enjoyed his life and I'm sure he is having a good time in the heavens and wants those he cared about (which was pretty much everybody) to really enjoy themselves too.
We tried to figure out what made Daniel seem so special. Was it a quality of voice, his expressive face, words that stood out, the twinkle in his eyes, bursts of activity, the wacky sense of Humor, clever and/or poignant remarks, skeptical and mischievous gleams,laughter, thoughtful pauses, pranks and teasing, blushes, a curious question, a measuring look. He was trustworthy, sincere and seemed wise beyond his years as well as just a little wild. He had that quality the mystics call a radiant spirit. A lot of peoples' stories about Daniel are very funny, many of the stories are inspirational, some are very sweet. I noticed One thing over and over again. Every time anyone mentions Daniel, any time anyone thinks of Daniel, the first thing they do is smile, Maybe now they tear up too, but first they usually quickly glance way up as though they were looking at him, and they smile.
Hospital Corpsman's Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before god and these witnesses to practice faithfully all of my duties as a member of the Hospital Corps. I hold the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and sacred trust and will assist the Medical Officer with loyalty and honesty. I will not knowingly permit harm to come to any patient. I will hold all personal matters pertaining to the private lives of patients in strict confidence. I dedicate my heart, mind, and strength to the work before me. I shall do all within my power to show in myself an example of all that is honorable and good throughout my naval career.
"Corpsman are a special breed. Corpsman go the extra mile, no matter what circumstances are going on around them. They take the extra step and put their lives on the line not just for Country, but for every man, woman, and child in harms way. The Corpsman's pledge/oath is our Bible.Every one of us live by a code beyond that of the initial oath of service. As they say "Next to God, a Corpsman is a Grunts Best Friend" and that is no lie. From what I have read here, DANIEL WAS JUST THAT..a friend to many, a man among men, a sailor a soldier, and a hero. Semper Fi Brother Daniel, it is in deed a loss to family, country, and the Corps." G
Below is a brief video interview with Hn Daniel S. Noble in Iraq from May of 2007 Its dark and shaky but it is definitely Daniel
Your Life Path Number
is 9
Your purpose in life is to make the
world better
You are very socially conscious and a total idealist.
You think there are many things wrong with the world, and you want to
fix them.
You have a big idea of how to world could be, and you'll sacrifice
almost anything to work toward this dream.
In love, you can easily see the beauty in someone else. And you never
cling too tightly.
You are capable of great love, but it's hard for you to focus your love
on one person or relationship.
Your Birth Month is November
Tolerant and inspirational, you are wise beyond your years.
You are universally sympathetic and a great humanitarian.
Your soul reflects: Compassion, friendship, and secret love
Your gemstone: Citrine
Your flower: Chrysanthemum
Your colors: Dark blue, red, and yellow
What Does Your Birth Month Mean?
What does your birth month reveal about you?
November
Has lots of extraordinary ideas. Difficult to fathom. Think forward. Unique. brilliant. Sharp thinking. Fine, strong clairvoyance. make good doctors. Dynamic. Secretive. Inquisitive. Know how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative. amiable. Brave. generous. Patient. Stubborn. hardhearted. Determined. Never quit. Hardly become angry unless provoked. Love to be alone. Think differently. Sharp-minded. Motivate self. Don't appreciate praises. High spirited. Well-built, tough. Deep love, emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest. Keep secrets. Can't control emotions. Unpredictable.
Your Birthdate: November 11
Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world.
You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm.
Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche.
Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done.
Your strength: Your inner peace,
Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds,
Your power color: Emerald,
Your power symbol: Leaf,
Your power month: November
We have some selected some songs we know Daniel liked, and some that we have been told he and the guys listened to and /or liked to sing, plus a few traditional for tribute & memorial pages and some songs that remind us of him.If there is music you think should be here please send us a message. Most of the songs that may seem most unusual here have some specific "Daniel Story" or experience associated with them.
His favorites were Action Movies of all kinds, He loved Anime, his favorite Anime series were Naruto and Naruto shippuden. He liked Sword and Sorcery movies too.
I know he had really liked the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Excalibur and Saving Private Ryan and the Incredibles and hsd Chosen A Ghostrider background on his page . He had a lot of Dvds of different movies We kind of hope that some of his friends and comrades will fill us in on some of the other movies he liked.
The Nine Noble Virtues
TRUTH: The willingness to be honest and say what one knows to be true and right.
FIDELITY: The will to be loyal to one's faith, to one's folk, to one's self, and the oaths that are taken.
HONOR: The feeling of inner value and worth from which one knows that one is noble of being, and the desire to show respect for this quality when it is found in the world.
COURAGE: The bravery to do what is right at all times.
INDUSTRIOUSNESS: The willingness to work hard--always striving for efficiency--as a joyous activity in itself.
DISCIPLINE: The willingness to be hard with one's self first, then if need be with others.
HOSPITALITY: The willingness to share what one has with one's fellows, especially when they are far from home.
SELF-RELIANCE: The spirit of independence which is achieved not only for the individual but also for the family, clan, tribe, and nation.
PERSEVERANCE: The spirit of stick-to-it-iveness that can always bring one back from defeat or failure--each time we fail we recognize failure for what it is and, if the purpose is true and good, we persevere until success is won.
Daniel joked about being the inspiration for the Noble virtues,( They had his name didn't they? Oh, yeah) throw in a great sense of humor, some goofiness and infinite kindness and they are a pretty good description of Daniel Nobles' character. He lived with intention, he intended to live up to his name 'Noble',and he did .
Other than "Band of Brothers" I don't know what television shows Daniel liked, I don't think he watched much television, he was very active. He did tell me some of his favorite shows but that was years ago and I no longer remember which ones he mentioned.
Harry Potter Series, Enders Game, He read these even though he had, had some learning disabilities with reading. He persevered and did very well in his training, regardless of this challenge
All who serve, all who care. Sgt Samuel Nichols who was severely injured in the same IED explosion remains in the Hospital recovering from his injuries. His recovery so far is remarkable, the love and devotion of his wife and relatives is inspirational.
a blog that updates family and friends on the status of Sgt Nichols
Banners by Chelles' design
Three others were also taken at the same time as Hn Daniel Noble, Here are a few words about each of these men.
Corporal James Heath McRae USMC,
CPL. James Heath McRae, 22 was from Springtown in North Texas. He left college and joined the Marines because he felt a calling to serve his country. . James was born July 6th, 1985 in Springtown Texas. He learned how to fix fences, work cattle and how to repair boats and car engines from his father. He loved to go fishing in the gulf of Mexico and on the stocked ponds of the family ranch. James wasn't just a country boy, he also loved music. He played trombone and guitar and was good enough to earn a music scholarship to Weatherford College which he attended for one year.
Heath McRae was that friend who was always sacrificing his self for other people, usually to get the laugh at any cost. As his Drum Major in the Springtown High School band, and as his friend (and chauffeur home after many practices & school days), I grew to know and love Heath as a brother. When he made the decision to go into the Marines, I knew he would serve brilliantly as both a leader and a brother. The stories I've heard of his service accurately reflect the Heath I knew (always making people laugh, his deadpan face in light of the most hilarious of circumstances), and his ability to incorporate fun into whatever he did. The world truly lost a great soul when Heath passed on 7-24-07 and many people will greatly miss him for who he was.
from Marcia
Corporal Matthew Zindars, USMC
Age 21 from Watertown, Wisconsin Matthew graduated from Watertown High School in 2004. He joined the Marines at age 18 while he was still in school. An outdoor-loving former football player, Cpl. Zindars liked snowboarding, rock climbing and hunting. He also loved weight-lifting in his spare time. His father Ken Zindars said his son was “the salt of the earthâ€. “He was a great kid and never gave us any troubleâ€. He said his son always wanted to be in the military and was “pretty proud to be a Marine.â€
Matthew volunteered for a second tour in Iraq because all his Marine buddies were going back and he wanted to be there for them.
Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, USMC
Lance Cpl. Robert A. Lynch, USMC age 20, was from Louisville Kentucky.
Robert graduated from Seneca High School in 2005 and school officials spoke highly of him. “He was a hero for us,†Michael McWilliams, a counselor at Seneca, told The (Louisville) Courier-Journal. He did a lot of things for us and a lot for our ROTC program.
“Robbie was a little bit of a jokester. He put a smile on your face, but when it came time to get something done, he was the first to jump in and stand shoulder to shoulder with you,†said retired Marine Col. Richard Maloney, who taught Lynch in ROTC courses at the school.“My Brother was the biggest Hero this REAL world has seen. He wanted to fight for our freedom, he asked to go on the mission he was on when he died. My bro always did what he had to do no matter the danger. I just want to tell everyone that the word ‘HERO’ is not used enough for the ones that don’t come home.†He was our HERO on earth Now He’s God’s Hero.
Randall C. Lynch (brother)
From" Nate " July 31 2007
I'm glad I was able to know these guys. Something they all had in common was that it was rare to see them without a smile on their faces, and it was quite contagious. Doc ( Daniel) especially frequently made me laugh. He was like 8 feet tall and every inch of it good natured. That's why I always called him the jolly blue giant.
Zindars, shared one of my own ambitions; to be a pirate when he grew up. He didn't have to be out here on this deployment. He came out with Golf Battery last year and nobody would have given it a second thought had he opted to stay with his boys in Golf.
Lynch cracked me up just a couple nights before he died when he showed me his beat boxing skills. I suppose I should put that in its proper context. It was an unexpected skill for him to have just by looking at him.....he was pushing a hundred pounds and was the epitome of the term "white boy."
I heard some great stories today about McRae, like the time someone jokingly told him he should put the pressure washer in his mouth, which he then did, and couldn't speak for like a week after that....they couldn't even give him pain killers because he wasn't able to swallow them. I saw a video of him beating the ever loving crap out of some random piece of electronics.
All 4 of these guys touched all our lives significantly and I am proud to have served with them and even more so simply to have known them.
from Nate, a Marine from Kilo Battery
Anyone who might want to share memories of these men or to write little notes to them may do so here too.
We know that they all have crossed into the light and are at peace. We offer and request prayers and energies for their families, loved ones, friends and comrades and for the protection of those who serve in the military and all others who strive to protect freedom and human rights. We request and offer prayers for the repose of the spirits
of all lost in these wars, and comfort for their beloveds.
Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping: those who have died for their country in war;
those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who have lived and died in the service of mankind.
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Knights oath, Kingdom of Heaven
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath…â€
We thank the Noble family for the use of photographs and for their permission and support for this page. This page is maintained by Solarraven, a family friend.
You are invited to share your thoughts, memories, stories,videos,or photographs of and about Daniel "Doc" Noble and/or his comrades.