Maldonado joined the Marines in the fall of 2007, the same year he graduated, according to published news reports. “I felt safe with a young man like Jose defending our country,” Casarez said.

Ethan, who was made an official, honorary U.S. Marine, holds tightly to a favored Leatherneck saying. "Marines are not allowed to die without permission," he has been heard to say.

Seven Marines and four Iraqi soldiers died instantly. Villa found Maldonado unconscious. He probably survived because he took a seat on the passenger side, away from the suicide bomber.