August 10, 2019

HOMETOWN: Mancos, CO

 

ENTERED SERVICE: 2005

 

UNITS:  2nd Marine Raider Batallion, Marine Forces Special
Operations Command

 

MILITARY TRAINING: For his superior performance in combat,
Scott was awarded 2 Bronze Star Medals with valor. Always
wanting to challenge and better himself, Scott followed a
somewhat untraditional path and chose to enlist in the Marine
Corps after receiving his Bachelor's Degree from Adams State
College in 2005. It was this same relentless pursuit of personal
and professional excellence that earned him the 2018 Excalibur
Award of Excellence, and the title of Critical Skills Operator of
the Year. 

 

DEPLOYMENTS: Iraq, Afghanistan

 

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Koppenhafer was the
recipient of at least three valor awards. He received two Bronze
Stars, including one with combat “V” device for valor. He was
also awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
Medals with combat “V” device for valor. His other awards included two Combat Action Ribbons and six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. In 2018 he was named the Marine Raider’s top commando.

 

SURVIVED BY: wife, Renae, and two children, Colt and
Penelope; his parents, Gerald and Carla; brother Travis;
(Ashley); sister Kelleen; and 3 nephews, Grant,
Augustus, and Michael.
 

Gunnery Sgt. Scott A. Koppenhafer was killed Aug. 10 by
enemy fire during combat operations against the Islamic State
group near Qanoos Island in Iraq.