St. Paul - In honor and remembrance of Marine Corporal Taylor J. Baune, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Monday, June 25, 2012, the day of Corporal Baune's interment.

Corporal Taylor J. Baune was 21 years old and a 2009 graduate of Andover High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2009, and was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force and deployed to Afghanistan on March 24, 2012, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Corporal Taylor J. Baune gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and died a hero on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, while carrying out combat operations in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Taylor J. Baune was an exemplary Marine, and has the distinction of being awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.

Corporal Baune is survived by his wife, Colleen Baune; father, Gary Baune; and many other family members and countless friends. Interment and celebration of Taylor's life will be held on Monday, June 25, 2012, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

/governor/assets/Taylor_%20Baune.pdf_tcm1055-92693.pdfA copy of the proclamation is attached.