Paying the Ultimate sacrifice for your country! RIP Marine!

Such a small story for such a great man. I went to EOD school with Dan. He was a good friend, a fine Marine and a great EOD tech. Dan gave me my first in person impression of Marines and my experiences with him have colored my view of them in a very positive hue ever since. His legacy is one of honor and integrity. The Corps lost a great exemplar of their culture. Dan was a superb human being and a true patriot. My heart goes out to his family, his wife and two kids. It saddens me that his young son will not get to know his father better and his daughter will be given away by someone else at her wedding. I pray his wife and children will be borne up in their time of need. I know that the EOD community will be there for them in their hour of need.

Hey Msgt Fedder, I never knew you but we were from the same town. My parents said somthing so i just wanted to say that the taliban have it coming when i get there. Keep them streets in heaven safe. Semper Fi Marine

Semper Fi from Afghanistan...

Rest in Peace Master Sergeant Fedder. Thank you for your service to our nation. Sending up prayers for your family, friends, and the Marines who served with you.

My thoughts are with Msgt Fedder and GySgt Holley and their family. Thank you for your service. As a EOD widow, my heart goes out to the wife's and kids. Semper Fi!!!!

I met this awesome charater in 2004/2005 in Iraq - saw him again in Afghanistan this year. Thank you for protecting us from harm during your time with us. My heartfelt condolences to his family and children. Rest in Peace and we will see in another lifetime.

I served with Dan at Quantico. From his earliest days in the EOD community a bunch of us old timers thought that Dan was something special. I can tell from the nice words from his compatriots that we were right. I am sorry to Dan's family for this terrible loss. There are a lot of us out here who will miss him too! LCpl Belko, great words and you go get 'em and come home safe! I feel safe knowing the Corps is in good hands!

Semper Fi!

A Huge loss for us all, God Bless his family....

We first met dan when he arrived at the eod school house. We pcs'd soon after but he joined us in hawaii upon graduation in /02 and went to work with cssg3. Dan was always a very sweet and polite gentleman and always a marine!! About deployments, he always said, "that's what i came into the corp for." The last time we saw him was at the eod ball, may 09, he said the same thing to me then. My heart goes out to dan's family and to all of the marines and friends who dan has inspired.
Rest in peace marine. To those who loved him, take some comfort in knowing that Dan passed doing what he loved and answering to a cause he strongly believed in.

I had the privileged to wrestle with dan throughout high school and become good friends. Dan was very passionate about wrestling and worked hard to push himself and us to make us be the best we could be and i know he did that for his fellow marines, his corp and his country. Thank you Dan and his brothers in the corp that make this country safe. I think that every American should say a prayer for Dan and his family may you never be forgotten.

I served with MSgt Fedder (GySgt back then) on the 11th MEU, as a young Sgt at the time, he was truly an inspiration ... one of the finest SNCOs I had ever met. The perfect role model, I still make decisions today with him in mind.

Thank God for people like M/Sgt. Fedder. This country owes you a debt that can never be repaid!

I had the honor of serving with MSgt Fedder in Iraq in 2004/2005. He was a great Marine. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children.

I am Dan's cousin. I read all of your comments about him, and thank you all so much. He really was a very special human being and will be so greatly missed! Anyone that had the privledge to meet him is very lucky, and I am greatly honored to be his family. Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Much love to you all, and gratitude for being as brave as Dan was!

I wish comfort to MSgt Fedder's family and that his soul rest in peace. My prayers for all who knew and/or served with MSgt Fedder.
Semper Fi from a Marine who served in Vietnam.

I had the honoring of working with Dan in Iraq during 2006. His level headedness and calm demeanor even under the most demanding situations made him the epitome of an EOD tech. He set the example for which we all strive to be.

My deepest condolences to his friends and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I served with Dan in Caracas, Venezuela on MSG. He was my leader, my friend, and my brother. My deepest sorrow and condolences go out to Dan's family. He will be remembered and missed.

I served with Dan in Venezuela, although we were both Sgts, I looked up to him. He was my brother. I ran into him again on the 11th MEU. There are no words that can explain this man. He was "The Marine". I'll miss you Brother

I met Dan in Oman in 97-99, he was a great guy, full of energy, funny and on top of that, ended up marrying a friend of mine and had 2 wonderful children. I am deeply saddened by his passing and I wish strength and courage to Dan's family who will be in mine and my family's prayers and thoughts.

May he rest in piece.

It was a honor and privilege to have known and served with this Marine. My sincerest condolences and prayers goes out to this true Warriors wife, children, and family.

Master Sergeant of Marines - thank you for your service and the sacrifices you gave to our Country and the Marine Corps! Rest in peace my brother and I will see you in the future when we can guard the streets of heaven together.

Semper Fidelis!

1st Sgt M. Chavez USMC Ret.

Semper FI Master Sergeant- Go easy Brother.

I'm also Danny cousin, I have read all of your loving comments about him, he was really a great guy that served is country with all his heart. Danny grow up in a small town and one of my favorite memories of him is when news came that he was coming home it was the talk of the tow. Danny was the type of person if you every meet him he touched your heart on one or other. Danny you will always be my hero! R.I.P. my hometown hero of a cousin.

Darn Dan, I'm glad I got to deploy with such a down to earth guy. This is something more than the marine corps. You knew the dangers your job entailed, yet you still volunteered to do it. Thanks a lot, not only to you, but the rest of the EOD techs. Peace be wherever you go.

Doc Hayes

I served with MSgt Fedder in the 11th MEU, CLB 11 and he was one of the best SNCO of our unit. Always leading by example and always set the example for others to imulate. Semper Fidelis Master Sergeant of Marines.

I served with this fine man in Caracas, Venezula. He taught me how to be a better man and I will miss him greatly. I am blessed to call him a friend. There aren't any better Marines out there. Rest in peace brother.

One of the most impressive Marines I have ever had the pleasure to serve with. Showed me the ropes when I first came to Venezuela. I can't watch a Viking game without thinking about Dan. There is a special place in heaven for you brother my thoughts and prayers and the prayers of my family go out to you. Semper Fi

I served then Guuny Fedder back in 2007-2008 aboard the USS Tarawa. I am at a loss for words. Another one of my brothers have given the ultimate sacrafice for their country. Semper Fi MSgt! My prayers to his family.

I also served with then GnySgt Fedder in 2007-2008 aboard the USS Tarawa. My heart dropped when I heard the news. MSgt Fedder was a Marines Marine. When I think of Marines I want to emulate, he ranks right up there. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I know Dan's mom and family and am very saddened at their loss. Jackie you were an excellent mother to Dan always so very proud of him and I know you let him know it. My prayers are with you all daily and I honor you Dan and all servicemen and women for your willingness to lay down your life for our protection and security. What a great price to pay.

I know Dan and his family. I'm deeply saddened. He loved his job so much and even joked that he will be so sad if the war is over and he can't make it to Iraq. My condolence to the family. You are a true hero Dan.

Brother you will be missed by many. You had explained to me long before you became a EOD Tech that that is something you wanted to do. I can remember the day you submitted and the day you recieved word that you were approved. And the times we talked again later in Cali. It was a honor and privilege to have known and served with you. My sincerest condolences and prayers goes out to this true Warriors wife, children, and family.

Top, you saved my rear in Iraq when my team was hit. It was a blow when I heard the news! Rest in peace my friend.

MSgt Fedder, I will never forget you. May you and GySgt Eastman find each other in Heaven above and continue to keep watch over all of us. I will never forget our CSSG-3 Engineer Company Family. Semper Fidelis. God Bless.

A Marine Major buddy o mine who is deployed near where MSgt was killed sent me this last eveing, it is MSgt's memorial that took place August 29th, 2010. Sangin, Afghanistan

Although I am a submarine sailor not a marine, I understand brotherhood all to well.

I thought all of you would appreciate the post.


What do you say about a man like Master Sergeant Fedder? As a man he’s larger than life. As a warrior – there’s none braver.
He joined the Marines in 1994. His initial assignments were with
Combat Engineers, as a sapper instructor and heavy equipment operator. He then volunteered for duty abroad, as a Marine Security Guard, in Oman and Venezuala – where he eventually served as the detachment commander. That wasn’t enough for Master Sergeant Fedder. After his successful tour guarding our embassies, he volunteered for service as an EOD tech. After earning his EOD specialty, he deployed twice to Iraq – in late 2004, and again in 2006 – during time periods of the worst
IED threats.
After successive tours in Iraq, he deployed with the 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit, where he practiced his trade in every clime and
place across the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
That brings us to his most recent deployment in Afghanistan. After a Marine spends two or more years in a deploying unit, he’s eligible for orders to a non-deploying unit. Master Sergeant Fedder volunteered to deploy again, this time with 1st EOD Company.
Master Sergeant Fedder has a history of volunteering to do the hard work for the Corps, and our nation. He could have stayed in Delaram, behind a desk, answering far fewer IED calls around Delaram, against a less sophisticated IED threat. But he didn’t. He asked to support the infantry in the front line.
We talked on many mornings and nearly every night that he was in
Sangin. He constantly stated, “If I don’t clear an IED, it’s going to
hit someone else, or one of my friends is going to have to clear it”.
He loved his children and would speak of them often,… always
mentioning small bits of their daily lives they would tell him about
while he was deployed. Just before he died he mentioned recently
speaking to his son and how proud he was of him.
He also spoke about his recent marriage and how he loved his wife
Diane. He told me he had the best times of his life with her and could now say he knew true love. He stated his wife and him just understood one another and that pleased him immensely.
He loved the game and he loved us all because we were his teammates. I would always see him walking around the Operations Center with his large blue Secret Service cup filled with coffee speaking to everyone and anyone about operations and having to get out there to clear IEDS. He truly loved it, with the sole motivation of keeping us safe. Selfless he was. He had no other reason for going out there time and time again other than to ensure we came back in one piece. He is one of the greatest mentors I have encountered. He mentored all of us through his actions. He had no fancy words or speeches. He just did. He showed us to have no fear, he never said it or told us, he did
it. He lead from the front like a true warrior, never stammering,
never faultering, never backing down. He was always there clearing the way for us. He had an eye for the job and had too much love to let us go out there alone. He was always there, ready to go.
He was not only a mentor on the battlefield but also behind the scenes in everyday life. He would approach anyone in order to help or teach or assist. He never quit, and he would never quit on any of us. He was always working, whether it be for myself, his brothers of 40 Commando or his protégé Josh. He would always show us the way, with no hesitatation and would always take care of us before himself. He truly loved us and he showed us time and time again until the very end of his existence here with us.
The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering. Although your life was cut short that day, the memory of your life will live on forever. You died a true warrior… a Spartan… a Marine.
Thank you for what you have done for us.
Please keep Dan's wife Diane, son Stormy and daughter Danielle in your thoughts and prayers during these hard times.

Semper Fidelis Marine. Rest in peace.

I had the honor and pleasure to serve with MSgt Fedder in Iraq 2004-2005 as a security team leader. He is an outstanding Marine who has left a his mark on me as a Marine and as a person. We always felt good when we we went out with the EOD guys that we were really accomplishing something they did their thing and we kept them safe while they were doing it. I have many found memories of him of driving through the desert and towns of Iraq. Most of all I remeber his promotion to Gunny while standing on a make shift stage of UXO's. Go easy bro, Semper Fi.

i am so sorry to here about the death of such a fine young man. it has deeply affected me upon hereing about him being killed. he will be dearly missed by family and friends, i can only say that i know your pain and he will be in our thoughts and prayers. proud father of lcpl curtis swenson. kia 4/2/2010

I had the pleasure of serving with a young Cpl/Sgt Fedder in Muscat Oman 1998/1999. He was a hard charging Marine, leading from the front and he had a personality larger than life. He was well liked by the Marines in the DET and would do anything for his team. His passing is a true loss. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of MSgt Fedder. When I think of Dan I remember the last phrase of the Esprit De Corps "The burning desire to work with and for others towards excellence in common goals" Thats what I will always remember about him. Semper Fidelis.

I had the honor of joining the USMC with Dan back in 1994. We were so young and stupid back then, Dan knows what I mean. We went through Engineer school together. We were deployed to South East Asia and the Pacific together a lot in our first 2years in the Corps. We served in Iwakuni Japan together. We went to 1st MAR DIV together while the rest of our guys stayed overseas. We went to Mountain Warfare School together and did many many CAX ops in 29 Palms. We had some great times together. Dan was in all reality the brother that I never had. He meant the world to me and over the years we kept in close touch. He was the main reason I came back in the military after a 5 year break. He and I had made a couple of trips driving across the US in our younger days raising all kinds of chaos. I couldn't believe the news when I got the call... I knew before I even heard what the call was about. Dan and I went through alot in our first 4yrs of the Marine Corps together and he was a stand up guy and one of the hardest charging Marines I ever knew. I will miss him dearly, and my heart, thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to his family. The incredible memories I have of our time together will live on with me until my end. I love you man. Rest in Peace my brother.
Semper Fi Bro... Robi

I've recently started corrispondance with one of Master Sgt. Daniel Fedders fellow Marines and he requested that I come to this article about his friend that will forever be remembered and missed.
Daniel wrote a blank check to his country and paid the ultimate price HIS LIFE. It is a tragic loss but Daniel will be remembered in the hearts of many and those many will talk of him and share him with those that never had the pleasure to meet him. May Daniels family and friends find comfort in knowing that although Daniel does not walk this earth with us Daniel is still reaching the hearts of strangers through those who loved him and will never let the memory of him be forgotten. The world is definantly a better and safer place THANKS to Master Sgt Daniel L Fedder.

I had the priviledge of serving with then SSgt / GySgt Fedder in Iraq, 2004-05. A Marine that stood above the rest. Rest in Peace brother!

I had the pleasure of serving with Dan on the 11th MEU in 2007/8. I found out aboit his passing at my Marine Corps Ball on Thursday when I met his wife. Dan was always a insiration to the rest of us. I am honored to call him a friend and fellow Marine. We spoke often of our kids while we were deployed. I can only pray that his children know how much he loved them. Sleep well Dan. Your still a insiration to those who served with you and will be remembered always. Semper Fi Brother!

this guy died for his country!!!!!!!

Thank you all for sharing your comments about Dan. The world was a better place because of him and what he stood for. He wanted to be a Marine as a child and loved every minute of his time in the Corps. He especially loved being an EOD Tech. We discussed it often. I was so very proud of him. He was at his best in the field and when he was FWD. He was definitely in his element. For those of you who knew Dan, he disliked sitting behind a desk...he wanted to be with his boys; working along side of them every step of the way. He thrived being FWD. I was able to watch some videos of he and his boys while working in Afghanistan. You could see it written all over his face, his joy when doing his job. I am forever honored to have been his friend, his confidant and his wife. He was a truly amazing man.

I went through life...just going with the flow, never realizing that I had not truly loved until I met my Dan. The love we shared can not be put into words. We shared everything, did everything together and loved with our entire being. Thank you, Baby....I love you more.

I served with Dan in Oman, all that I read above is true and much more. He was a Sgt when we served together, I was the A/Det Commander and I can honestly tell you Dan made me want to be a better Marine, PT harder, Work Harder, Be a better Friend, and much more. I am so sorry for your family's loss, he is loved and missed by many people. I write this today as I take pause to remember Dan as I am sending a check to the Wounded Warriors Project in His name for 1,000.00. Like someone said earlier, everytime I see the Vikes play, I think of Dan, when I see anything that has to do with the military, I think of Dan. This war has got real personal, and I pray that our troops come home safe and that sacrafices that were made like Dans will never be forgotten.

Semper Fidelis
Kevin Chavez
Grants, New Mexico

Dan, we served both of our first of many tours in Iraq together and I will never forget you. From our beginnings while going through EOD School to the last time we sat together in a San Diego hotel bar after retuning from the same Iraq tour in '05, sipping on Johnny Walker Blue and Jack&Coke busting your butt on how the Vikings suck...you always made an impression. From the joke you never got when Drew and I decided to nickname you "Muffin", to your never to be duplicated promotion to Gunny on top of 28 Mk83's and 32 100kg OFABs, and joked of the day when it would be "Top Muffin", the jokes about you being one of the best "Belt-Fed" EOD guys our field had...you are one of a kind. I miss you brother...we all do. We Remember.........I remember. Love you, man.

I servered with this man.. He was a good man from start to finish, and trained his Mainres for success.. I wish his soul carries one to the Afterlife in real peace... Love you dude!!

I have recently heard about this wonderful man through a friend of his. To me he epitimises what a man who is proud of his country should be. He has stood up when his country has needed him and has paid the ultimate price. Our countries need more of these people willing to make sacrifices so that we can all live our lives the way we want without fear of retribution. I have my nephew in RAAF and have the same feeling of apprehension but also of being very proud.
And now I have someone over there now whom I care deeply for and praying for him everyday.
To all you servicemen and women from all countries we are proud of you and thank you for what you do.
I salute you Master Sgt. Daniel Fedders. May you RIP

To this fine soldier, and to all the servicement from USA and Australia who serve for our worlds safety, and so that we can live in peace, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of all Australians, RIP
Along with all the other Australians and Americans that have given their lives to serve their country, you will always be remembered

Dan and I were Lance Corporals together back in the day...we used to raise a lot of commotion. I read this with tears streaming down my face...too many memories of buddies lost. I'm gearing up for yet another go in Afghanistan. I'll be sure my men and I do our part against the Nation's foes. See you soon enough Dan -- love ya, Bro. Semper Fidelis.