Marine LCpl Colton W. Rusk was born on September 23, 1990 to Darrell and Kathy Rusk. He grew up alongside his older brother Cody and younger brother Brady in a small Texas town called Orange Grove. Colton was an impressive athlete making all-district as an offensive lineman in 2008 and was known for having a great sense of humor.

From a young age, Colton knew he wanted to be a Marine. Although he was aware of the risks involved he still chose to serve his country and enlisted shortly after his high school graduation. After boot camp, Colton was sent to South Carolina to become a bomb dog handler. It is here where he met his new best friend, a black Labrador Retriever named Eli. In 2010 Eli and Colton were deployed to the Helmand province in Afghanistan. On December 6, 2010 Colton was killed in action by a sniper. Eli rushed to Colton’s side and protected him even when a fellow Marine came to help.

Colton was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Eli was adopted early in 2011 by Colton’s family.

Donations will be made on behalf of Colton’s Gold Star Family to the Colton Rusk Semper Fi Scholarship.