Marine Killed In Kabul Attack Was Due To Be Dad In Three Weeks

A US Marine killed in the Kabul attack was set to become a dad in just three weeks.

Rylee McCollum, 20, was one of 13 US service people killed in the blast on Thursday.

His sister Cheyenne McCollum said the Marine had been manning a checkpoint when the attack was carried out.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Cheyenne said: "Rylee was an amazing, man with a passion for the Marines. He was a son, a brother, a husband and a father with a baby due in just three weeks.

"He wanted to be a marine his whole life and carried around his rifle in his diapers and cowboy boots.

"He was determined to be in infantry and this was his first deployment. Rylee was sent to Afghanistan when the evac began. Rylee was manning the check point when he suicide bomb went off.

"Rylee wanted to be a history teacher and a wrestling coach when he finished serving his country. He's a tough, kind, loving kid who made an impact on everyone he met. His joke and wit brought so much joy.

"To his friends and teammates and coaches, he was family. Rylee will always be a hero not just for the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country but for the way he impacted every life around him for the better. Making us stronger, kinder, teaching us to love deeper. We love you Rylee."

McCollum was due to return home to his wife Jiennah Crayton, known as Gigi, in October, by which time they would both be new parents.

The couple got married in Las Vegas in February, with Crayton's mum saying her daughter is 'crushed' by the tragic incident.

She told The Sun: "She's having his baby next month, my first grandbaby.

"I'm working on getting a flight right now, I'm trying to get my week covered from work.

"I didn't get to know him, I didn't even get to meet him, but I do know that she was madly in love with him. He was her everything her future and her best friend.

"I couldn't wait to meet him, he made her so incredibly happy. I hadn't known her to be so happy until she married him and found out she was pregnant. It was like she was complete."

Topics: US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19