WASHINGTON -
A United States Marine, born and raised in the District of Columbia, was shot and killed in Afghanistan on Memorial Day.
Julian Clement Chase was 22 years old. He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Marine's father, Tom Chase of Edgewater, Md., says Julian was shot in the mouth during a combat mission and bled to death in an evac helicopter - in the arms of a Navy medic who happened to be a close friend.
Clement Chase will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Tom Chase says his only child was cremated Thursday night. The funeral was Wednesday in Davidsonville, Md.
Julian was a 2008 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in the District.
"He was an exceptional kid," said one of his teachers, Julie Caccamise. "And you know, like I know everyone will say, he will be sorely missed and I hope he'll be remembered."
Clement Chase grew up on Oak Street in Columbia Heights. Ellen Baynard was his next door neighbor.
"As a child, he was very active," she said. "As a teenager, he was very dear."
Baynard, and across the street neighbor, Daniel Mack, attended the funeral.
"It was a large funeral," Rev. Mack told us. "A lot of respect was shown and love shown to the family for this young man that gave his life for his country, for something that he loved."
Tom Chase says his son was planning to leave the Marine Corps in September. He says Julian had hoped to attend George Washington University and wanted to be a photojournalist.
Julian Clement Chase
