For a terminally ill eight-year-old boy from California, it was none other than the United States Marine Corps who displayed him an overwhelming show of love and respect a day before he passed away.

It was the USMC who accepted him as one of their own. And made him an Honorary Marine.

Wyatt Gillette, who suffered from a rare genetic disease called Aicardi-Goutierres Syndrome Type 1 — which caused seizures, kidney failure, and 15 different medications a day — died Sunday. On Saturday he was welcomed by the School of Infantry-West Parade Deck at Camp Pendleton, by way of an online petition, and awarded an Eagle, Globe and Anchor and a smart salute.

More from the New York Daily News:

“I truly feel that Wyatt has faced more hardship than any Marine has gone through, and for that should be given the title,” Marine Anthony North wrote on the petition. “I have seen more Marines come together because of him, and feel he has truly earned the right to be among the best fighting force in the world.”

The petition was approved by Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller and Gillette joined the ranks of less than 100 people bestowed with the Honorary Marine title.

“The courageous fight that Wyatt continues is absolutely ‘Marine,’” Neller told the Marine Corps Times. “I hope this small gesture will bring Wyatt and his family a bit of joy during their tremendous battle.”

Gillette is only the 96th person ever to be named an Honorary Marine.