Manoukian

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew Patrick Manoukian, 29, a Los Altos Hills native, was killed in action last week in Afghanistan.

Capt. Manoukian is the son of Los Altos Hills residents Socrates “Pete” Manoukian, a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge, and Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian, a California Court of Appeal Associate Justice, and brother of Michael and Martin. Officials notified his family of his death Thursday evening.

Capt. Manoukian attended St. Nicholas and St. Francis High schools, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 2005. He graduated from the U.S. Marines Officer Candidates School in March 2006.

According to multiple news outlets, Capt. Manoukian was a member of a Special Operations force deployed to Afghanistan in May, to train local governments in security against Taliban insurgents. He attended a predawn meal followed by a meeting to discuss security with local police. One of the alleged police officers, actually an insurgent, fatally shot the three Marines before fleeing.

Capt. Manoukian, whose personal decorations include two Purple Hearts, was set to attend law school beginning August 2013. In his law school application, he wrote, “I have always thrived on challenge and constantly seek out self-improvement, and believe in contributing to the overall development of the team, group and society.”

Capt. Manoukian’s mother currently serves on the St. Francis Board of Directors, according to Director of Institutional Advancement Holly Elkins.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Manoukian family,” St. Francis President Kevin Makley said in a statement released by the school Friday afternoon. “This is a devastating loss. Matt was a popular student-athlete and a strong leader. He was also an active member of our Alumni Association and frequently attended football games and other special events. His dedication to our country and the conviction with which served the Marines make him an inspiration to us all. Our entire St. Francis community will profoundly miss him.”

Among other school activities, Capt. Manoukian played defensive tackle for the school’s football team and earned first-team, all-league honors as a senior.

A memorial service is scheduled 3 p.m. Saturday in the St. Francis High School Gymnasium, 1885 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View.

For more information, visit captainmattmanoukian.com.

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