
Gregory MacDonald loved books and classical guitar, and studied philosophy as an undergraduate. He earned his master’s degree at American University in 2001, with an eye toward a career in Middle Eastern affairs. To him, serving in the military was a way to gain credibility and experience in the field.
“He wanted to do foreign policy work, and he wanted to do it for the Middle East, and he wanted to create peace in the Middle East,” said Jeni Spevak, one of his closest friends.
He and six other Marines were traveling to help a U.S. unit under ambush when the road’s shoulder gave out. For his brother Matt MacDonald, there was at least some comfort in the way he died. “He died doing something meaningful,” the brother said. “He was going to aid other...