8-year-old passes away a day after becoming Honorary Marine
Jeff Schogol, Marine Corps Times 7:16 p.m. EDT July 31, 2016
Terminally ill 8-year-old made Honorary Marine at Pendleton ceremony
Fullscreen
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, on behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, presented the title of Honorary Marine to Wyatt Seth Gillette in a ceremony at the School of Infantry-West Parade Deck, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, July 30, 2016. Wyatt was born on Aug. 15, 2008, and diagnosed with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Type 1 (Trex 1 Mutation) when he was 4. Wyatt's father, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gillette, is currently a drill instructor with 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, aboard the depot. Wyatt is only the 96th recipient of the award since the program's inception in 1992. Cpl. Angelica Annastas/Marine Corps
Wyatt Gillette's Honorary Marine Ceremony
A day after becoming an Honorary Marine, 8-year-old Wyatt Gillette passed away Sunday morning.
Gillette received his Eagle, Globe and Anchor as well as a smart salute Saturday at Camp Pendleton, California. Both Gillette’s father and mother were with him at the School of Infantry-West Parade Deck.
His father, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gillette, confirmed Sunday that the boy had died. The elder Gillette is a drill instructor with 2nd Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.