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Memorial held for Marine who rescued children

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — If anyone was likely to dash into a churning ocean to rescue two children, it was Master Sgt. Michael Wert.

As the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing intelligence chief, he gracefully accepted the role as the go-to guy for his Marines. He was the one who helped his major’s son build a pinewood derby car while the officer was deployed. He knew when babies were born in the command. He kept up with birthdays and anniversaries. He was the first to greet Marines getting off the plane after a tour in Iraq.

“He was always there to help,” Lt. Col. William Conley, commander of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 said Wednesday morning at a memorial service for Wert. “Saturday afternoon, Master Sergeant Wert responded to the need for help. As always, he didn’t hesitate — he went to help. He tragically lost his own life in doing so.”

Wert, his wife and three children were at Atlantic Beach on Saturday when he noticed two boys in distress in the ocean, where a storm system off the East Coast was pushing big waves onto the shore. After noticing two boys in distress, Wert made his way toward them while his wife, Debbie, called 911.

Their daughter, Katrina, grabbed a boogie board and followed her father. Debbie Wert headed for the car to get another board, but when she returned a rescue team had arrived.

As Katrina helped the boys get onto the board, she noticed her father wasn’t there.

“The one little boy told her he had to let them go and had died,” Debbie Wert said in a statement. “We realized at that point we were only seeing three heads on the board and that Mike was missing. Katrina got them to help kick that board in, and all of them were safe.”

The rescue team found Wert, brought him to shore and tried to revive him. As they worked, strangers prayed with the family and comforted the Wert children.

Wert was six days shy of celebrating his 36th birthday.

On a sunny Wednesday morning, Marines in their desert cammies somberly removed their covers as they filed into the air station chapel to celebrate Wert’s life.

Photos of Wert flashed in a slideshow on a projector screen hanging over the chapel pulpit. Many were of him smiling, playing with his children on the beach, relaxing at home, posing with his petite wife and fishing. A brass band played old gospel hymns such as “He Walks With Me” and “Amazing Grace” as the photos changed.

Those who stood up spoke of Wert’s character as a family man and a Marine.

“I admired him for his commitment to service and the Marine Corps,” said Col. Kathy Tate. “We know he was a hero every day.”

Wert served in Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.

A funeral service will be held in his home state of Michigan on Saturday.

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