Note: This article was originally published on Nov. 5, 2004. We’re re-posting it now for our Coloradpo Fallen series.
MARINE SGT. DOUGLAS E. BASCOM’s wife doesn’t know the details of how he died in Iraq, but she’s certain he was out in front of the
men he was leading.
“He took care of his men, and I always knew he would do anything for them, even if it meant dying,” Jolene Bascom said.
Douglas Bascom, 25, died Oct. 20 when a makeshift bomb exploded near him in Anbar province. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Bascom’s family moved to Colorado Springs in 1998 from England, where his father had been stationed in the Air Force. Described as outgoing, generous and fun-loving, Bascom worked three jobs and attended college with his sights on a degree in computer
engineering.
That changed when his future wife walked into the clothing store where he worked.
“I just knew that he was the person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life,” Jolene Bascom said.
Douglas Bascom joined the Marines to support his new bride. He completed his hitch but re-enlisted to volunteer for Iraq, where he
felt he could protect other Marines.
“He knew people in the service who were over there, and he felt a strong urge to be over there protecting them,” said his father-in-law, Clair Doughty.
