Netlore Archive: Facebook status updates call for honoring fallen U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek Wyatt, who was killed in Afghanistan, leaving behind a wife and newborn son.
Description: Facebook rumor
Circulating since: Dec. 2010
Status: Mostly true
Example #1:
Posted on Facebook, Dec. 14, 2010:
TO ALL FACEBOOK FRIENDS.. Will you all be willing to donate your status for just a few minutes to HONOR a fallen Marine who's just passed away while serving our country? Cpl. Derek Wyatt (USMC) died Dec 6 while serving in Afghanistan. He leaves behind a wife and a newborn son named in his honor, who was born approx 24 hours after news of his death. Repost to honor this Hero and his family.
Example #2:
Posted on Facebook, Dec. 14, 2010:
Will you all be willing to donate your status for just a few minutes to HONOR a fallen Marine, who just passed away while serving OUR country? Cpl. Derek Wyatt (USMC) died Dec 6, while serving in Afghanistan. He leaves behind a wife and a newborn son, who was born approx 24 hours after news of his death. Repost to Honor this Hero and his Family. Keep them in your prayers. Semper Fi
Analysis: Mostly true. Published news reports confirm that U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt of Akron, Ohio was killed in action in Afghanistan at the age of 25 on Dec. 6, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Kait, and his newborn son, Michael Everett Wyatt — who obviously wasn't named after his father as claimed in some versions of the rumor, but was, in fact, born one day after Derek Wyatt died.
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Sources and further reading:
Fallen Marine's Wife Gives Birth to Son
WEWS-TV News, 9 December 2010Joy of New Life Emerges Among Sorrow Over Marine's Death
Akron Beacon Journal, 9 December 2010Akron Honors Fallen Marine
Akron Beacon Journal, 12 December 2010Slide Show: Remembering Marine Cpl. Derek Wyatt
Ohio.com, 12 December 2010
Last updated 12/14/10
