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We Honor and Remember:
Cpl. Derek A. Kerns
Hometown: Woodstown, New Jersey, U.S. Age: 21 years old. Died: April 11, 2012,. Unit: US Marine - Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26MV-22, New River Air Station in North Carolina. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Kerns, age 21 of Woodstown, NJ, was killed during a military training exercise in Morocco. An MV-22 Osprey crashed in a training area southwest of Agadir, Morocco, after taking off from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima. Prior to that, the Squadron had supported their major combat operation when they lifted troops and supplies in support of Operation Cobra's Anger, an offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. About 1,000 Marines and 150 Afghan troops were involved. Born in Patuxent River, MD, Cpl. Kerns was a graduate of Woodstown High School Class of 2008 and joined the Marine Corps in September of 2008. In December of 2010 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was a MV-22 crew chief with Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26MV-22. His awards during his service include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a certificate of appreciation. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was a United States Armed Forces service award given to recognize military members who served on active duty during a declared national emergency. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) is authorized for award to Service members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in or served in support of approved GWOT operations. He is survived by his wife, Mechele Nikole Kerns; a son, Aydin James Kerns; his mother, Carol (Simpson) Kerns; his father and his wife, Bruce and Sherry Kerns; a sister, Jessica Kerns; maternal grandmother, Janet Simpson; a step-sister Liz Godwin and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, John M. Simpson Sr. and paternal grandparents, Robert and Ruth Kerns. A trust fund has been established for the benefit of Aydin James Kerns. Contributions can be made to Fulton Bank/ Woodstown, c/o Aydin James Kerns, 1 South Main Street, Woodstown, NJ 08098. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of H.T. LAYTON FUNERAL HOME, Woodstown, NJ. 856.769.1515. |
Community pays respects as body of U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Kerns arrives back home in Woodstown, NJ.
As the body of U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Kerns arrived back in his hometown here Thursday, friends, family and members of the community lined the streets in Woodstown to pay their respects to a local hero. A hearse bearing the late soldier was led from Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., into Salem County by a motorcade of local and state police vehicles, as well as a number of flag-bearing motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders.
The motorcade arrived in Woodstown around 11 a.m., passing beneath a large American flag hung across the ladders of two local fire trucks on South Main Street, before stopping in front of the H.T. Layton Funeral Home. There, grieving family and members of the community watched as a contingent of U.S. Marines carefully moved Cpl. Kerns’ flag-draped casket from the hearse and into the funeral home.
Cpl Kerns, 21, and a Woodstown native, was killed April 11 in a training mission off the coast of Morocco when his Osprey helicopter crashed. Cpl. Kerns and another Marine were killed in the incident. Two other Marines were injured. Thursday his body was returned to his family, as those he knew and loved continued to remember the father, husband, son, and brother whose life was tragically cut short.
“Derek was an amazing father, an amazing husband, and an amazing best friend,” said the soldier’s widow, Mechele Nikole Kerns, having arrived in Woodstown from her home in Holly Ridge, N.C., where Cpl. Kerns was stationed.
“He knew how to make everybody laugh,” she recalled Thursday morning as she waited at the funeral home for her husband’s body to arrive. “Even through the labor of our son, he somehow had me laughing.” The two were just married in January and celebrated the birth of their first son, Aydin, three months ago. “He was a great dad. Aydin was his pride and joy,” she said.
A 2008 graduate of Woodstown High School, Cpl. Kerns joined the U.S. Marines out of Fort Dix immediately following his graduation in September of 2008. His family said he came from a family line of military, and joining the Marines was something he had known he wanted to all through his high school years.
“Derek was very passionate and enthusiastic about everything he did,” said his father Bruce Kerns, who had a career in the Navy. “He was in a military environment at a young age while I was in the Navy. But with joining the Marines, I think that was his way of doing his own thing.”
Cpl. Kerns was a MV-22 crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26MV-22 based at New River Air Station in North Carolina. A Marine spokesman said that his Osprey crashed in a training area southwest of Agadir, Morocco, after taking off from the amphibious assault ship.
Members of the community gathered along South Main Street on Thursday morning as his body arrived back in his hometown, many just wishing to pay their respects to a local hero. Bob and Algia Motisher who live in Woodstown, were on hand for the arrival of the late Marine corporal’s body.
“It’s important to show our support,” said Bob Motisher. “It’s the least we can do for someone who was a hero in most people’s eyes. I didn’t know him personally, but I’m thankful for heroes like him.” Marge LaBarbara, another local, added, “We came to show support for the soldier’s family and for our country.”
Cpl. Kerns’ mother, Carol Kerns, said the support of the community, police, local fire departments and military has not gone unnoticed by their family.
As the body of U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Kerns arrived back in his hometown here Thursday, friends, family and members of the community lined the streets in Woodstown to pay their respects to a local hero. A hearse bearing the late soldier was led from Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., into Salem County by a motorcade of local and state police vehicles, as well as a number of flag-bearing motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders.
The motorcade arrived in Woodstown around 11 a.m., passing beneath a large American flag hung across the ladders of two local fire trucks on South Main Street, before stopping in front of the H.T. Layton Funeral Home. There, grieving family and members of the community watched as a contingent of U.S. Marines carefully moved Cpl. Kerns’ flag-draped casket from the hearse and into the funeral home.
Cpl Kerns, 21, and a Woodstown native, was killed April 11 in a training mission off the coast of Morocco when his Osprey helicopter crashed. Cpl. Kerns and another Marine were killed in the incident. Two other Marines were injured. Thursday his body was returned to his family, as those he knew and loved continued to remember the father, husband, son, and brother whose life was tragically cut short.
“Derek was an amazing father, an amazing husband, and an amazing best friend,” said the soldier’s widow, Mechele Nikole Kerns, having arrived in Woodstown from her home in Holly Ridge, N.C., where Cpl. Kerns was stationed.
“He knew how to make everybody laugh,” she recalled Thursday morning as she waited at the funeral home for her husband’s body to arrive. “Even through the labor of our son, he somehow had me laughing.” The two were just married in January and celebrated the birth of their first son, Aydin, three months ago. “He was a great dad. Aydin was his pride and joy,” she said.
A 2008 graduate of Woodstown High School, Cpl. Kerns joined the U.S. Marines out of Fort Dix immediately following his graduation in September of 2008. His family said he came from a family line of military, and joining the Marines was something he had known he wanted to all through his high school years.
“Derek was very passionate and enthusiastic about everything he did,” said his father Bruce Kerns, who had a career in the Navy. “He was in a military environment at a young age while I was in the Navy. But with joining the Marines, I think that was his way of doing his own thing.”
Cpl. Kerns was a MV-22 crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26MV-22 based at New River Air Station in North Carolina. A Marine spokesman said that his Osprey crashed in a training area southwest of Agadir, Morocco, after taking off from the amphibious assault ship.
Members of the community gathered along South Main Street on Thursday morning as his body arrived back in his hometown, many just wishing to pay their respects to a local hero. Bob and Algia Motisher who live in Woodstown, were on hand for the arrival of the late Marine corporal’s body.
“It’s important to show our support,” said Bob Motisher. “It’s the least we can do for someone who was a hero in most people’s eyes. I didn’t know him personally, but I’m thankful for heroes like him.” Marge LaBarbara, another local, added, “We came to show support for the soldier’s family and for our country.”
Cpl. Kerns’ mother, Carol Kerns, said the support of the community, police, local fire departments and military has not gone unnoticed by their family.
Family, friends and community give final salute to U.S. Marine Cpl. Derek A. Kerns of Woodstown - nj.com.
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