USMC Corporal Jonathan R., J.R., Spears was a selfless individual that became an unfortunate casualty of the recent conflict in Iraq. Born in Pensacola, Florida on June 30, 1984 to Marie and Timothy Spears, J.R. grew up in the small community of Molino, Florida. He attended local elementary and middle schools before attending Tate High School.

Spears was a valuable member of the school's football team before graduating in 2002. Following graduation, he attended Pensacola Junior College before enlisting in the Marine Corps. In 2003, Spears entered boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.

He completed boot camp and graduated from Infantry School the following year. He completed his first tour of duty in Iraq from March 2004 to October 2004. After a short period at Twentynine Palms, California, home of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Spears transferred to Ramadi, Iraq in September 2005 for his second tour of duty.

While conducting a routine combat patrol, Spears was killed by an enemy sniper on October 23, 2005. He was the first casualty from Escambia County and the 2,000th U.S. fatality in the Iraq Conflict. The U.S. Marine Corps posthumously promoted him to the rank of Corporal and awarded him the Purple Heart. Jonathan R., J.R., Spears embodied the values and tradition of the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country wholeheartedly until his untimely death.

Researched and written by Kathleen Zielinski.