Captain Trevor J. Yurista
Died: October 27, 2008

NEWBURGH - The family of Marine 1st Lt. Trevor J. Yurista, a Pleasant Valley, N.Y., resident killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Oct. 27, 2008, received posthumous awards from Marine Capt. Byron Owen, during a ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base on Wednesday, May 20.

Yurista's father Ronald; his mother Donna; his sister Heather Sukunda; and her husband Luke Sukunda, received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Yurista, a member of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force was serving with the Force Recon Platoon of Marine Task Force 2/7 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was returning to his base after actions he had coordinated against insurgent forces.

Yurista also received the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal from Gov. David Paterson presented by representatives of the New York State legislature.

The event was hosted by Marine Corps Reserve Air Group 49, Detachment B, which shares Stewart Air National Guard Base with the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing.