Oak Creek Marine To Be Laid To Rest, Interned In Local Ceremony

OAK CREEK, WI — Evan A. Bath, the 19-year-old Marine who lost his life following a training exercise off the California coast on July 30 is coming home, and will be laid to rest on Tuesday. He was one of eight U.S. service members who were lost during that training exercise.

Evan's funeral service will be held at the Parkway Church in Oak Creek. In his younger days: "Evan loved God, and he enjoyed helping out at the Church Sunday School and Bible study. Though he didn't like getting up early on Sunday morning to go to church, his mother would often find him in his room praying," according to an obituary posted on the Suminski Funeral home website.

Following Evan's funeral, an internment ceremony will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.

"I just want him to come home, and I know for the Marines, they'll do whatever it takes to have their brother come home," Aleta Bath said of her son in a Fox 6 report. "All I care about is him, he's my hero."

At the time of his death, Evan was assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Service Details

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 3:00 p.m. CDT
Parkway Apostolic Church
10940 S. Nicholson Road
Oak Creek, WI 53154

COVID-19 Protocols will be observed at the funeral site and masks are required. If guests have a compromised condition or are not feeling well they are encouraged not attend.

At the family's request, memorial contributions are to be made to the Brothers In Arms Foundation at 3200 S. Congress Avenue Ste. 203, Boynton Beach, FL 33420, or the Pfc Evan Bath memorial fund at Go Fund Me.

Evan Was Decorated Soldier

Evan reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on July 29, 2019. Upon his graduation, he reported to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton in Nov. 2019, where he was trained as a rifleman.

On Jan. 29, he reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton.

"Rifleman are the foundation of Marine Corps infantry forces. A Battalion Landing Team provides a battalion of Marine infantry forces, reinforced with additional ground combat units and weapon systems, to form the Ground Combat Element of a Marine Expeditionary Unit," Marine officials said.

Evan earned both the Global War on Terrorism, and National Defense Service medals during his brief term of service.

In order for a service member to be honored with the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, they must have served on active duty during anti-terrorism operation for at least 30 straight or 60 total days. The medal was created via executive order by President George W. Bush.

The National Defense Service Medal has been awarded to service members at different times in the last 70 years, and has most recently been awarded to service members who serve on active duty in the United States Armed Forces between Sep. 11, 2001 and the present. The medal brought into being by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953.