Navy Gold Star Program Information & Resource Site
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For locations outside the United States, enter the applicable region (e.g., Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan, Canada, etc.).
F. Valdez
E. Kolenda
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Navy Gold Star Tributes
Honoring Evan’s Military Life. We honor Evan for his courage, dedication, and selfless service. He answered the call with strength and integrity, serving something greater than himself. His legacy lives on in the freedom he helped protect and in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He will never be forgotten.
Jesse Melton III was raised in Randallstown, MD. He attended Randallstown High School graduating with honors in 1996. He attended Messiah College, PA fall of 1996. Jesse was a Christian whose mindset was God first. He was active in the youth group at Colonial Baptist Church, where he displayed early, his ability to lead.
Jesse enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves, 05/19/1997 after his freshman year at Messiah. After his junior year, he completed OCS. Upon graduation with a B.A. in Communications, June 2000; he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He believed a good officer must lead by example. He stated, “I want the Marines on my team to follow me out of admiration, not obligation,” Jesse was promoted to Captain prior to Iraqi deployment in 2005. Upon return to the U.S., he attended and graduated from EWS.
He was assigned to the 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan. Before deployment to Afghanistan, Melton told his mother “I want to go change the world and make a difference, to do something that will bring God Glory." He served about six months in Afghanistan before being KIA 09/09/2008 with three team members by an IED. He was off duty but agreed to substitute for a fellow Marine; whose daughter was born two days later.
Melton received 13 awards, (4 posthumously): Bronze Star Medal (w/Combat "V"), Purple Heart Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Combat Action Ribbon, NATO Medal (ISAF- Afghanistan).
Seth was an amazing young man who saw good in everyone and everything. He was a loving dad to his beautiful daughter, Naomi, as well as a loving brother and son. Seth had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He loved what he did and chose to make the Navy his career. A health issue sidelined his career as a submariner but he rebounded and joined the EDO Community and excelled there. He excelled at anything he put his mind to. Seth's passing blindsided us and we are still reeling from it. It's something you never get used to but we will forever be grateful for our time with him.