Body of Crowley Marine Killed at Camp Lejeune Returns Home

The body of a Marine from Crowley, killed last week in what authorities described as an apparent accidental shooting at a North Carolina military base, returned to North Texas Wednesday.

Lance Cpl. Mark N. Boterf, 21, died on April 8 after a single gunshot wound to the chest while on sentry duty at the main entrance to the sprawling Camp Lejeune base.

Boterf's twin brother, who is also a Marine, said that his brother volunteered for the guard position so that another Marine could take leave to get married.

"He was an amazing young man and he would do anything for anybody," said his aunt, Adrianne Fore. "Anything he did, he did with all his heart."

Boterf was one of 10 children, three of whom are in the Marines.

"Mark was definitely one of a kind. We wish the circumstances could have been different," said his aunt Ashley Boterf. "But we're strong. We're a family and together we're going to get through this but overall, God is in control."

Boterf's body arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport just after 6 p.m. Wednesday and was escorted to a funeral home by the Patriot Guard.

The group of motorcyclists volunteer for duty and spend their own time and money to help families in their time of grief.

"There's nothing you can do except let them know somehow, with your behavior, with your actions, that people care," said Patriot Guard rider Floyd Kammerer.

A public viewing will be held Thursday at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth; the funeral will be Friday at Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson.

The family asks that contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Mark Boterf's honor.

Boterf's name will be added to a new Veteran's Plaza which is nearly completed in Crowley.  The City of Crowley spent $260,000 on the plaza to honor all the town's men and women who are serving now and have served in the past.

NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.

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