Army Maj. Douglas A. La Bouff

At home, the deep-voiced, stoutly built Douglas A. La Bouff did his best to be a stern father. But the tough facade crumbled around his son and daughter.

"He kind of melts when the kids are around," said longtime friend, Capt. Robert Medina.

La Bouff, 36, who was raised in La Puente, Calif., was killed Jan. 7 in a helicopter crash near Tal Afar. He was assigned to Fort Carson.

In high school, he played football, served in the student senate and developed an anti-drug program for which he received a medal from Congress.

La Bouff got his bachelor's degree in history from Whittier College and then earned a master's in history from California State Fullerton in 1995, and later that year joined the Army.

His list of assignments was extensive and includes two one-year tours in South Korea as an intelligence agent. He hoped to become a professor at West Point.

"I think he felt he could further contribute to the intelligence fight," said Medina. "And of course he wanted to be deployed with the cavalry, he's a cavalry trooper all the way."

He also is survived by his wife, Karen.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jason T. Little

Lance Cpl. Little

Open the cover of Jason T. Little's 2003 yearbook and you'll find a picture of him, laid back and casual, with intense eyes.

"I remember mostly a quiet young man," said Ron Ehlers, his former math teacher. "He really had a calming effect on people and he was easy to talk to, but you could tell he had a passion inside him."

Little, 20, of Climax, Mich., was killed Jan. 7 when his tank was attacked near Ferris. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

Lisa Rose, his girlfriend, met Little when they worked together at a Meijer store. "I was a cashier, he was a bagger and he was in love with me," she said.

Samantha Lambert, another friend, said Little was kind to everybody: "He would give his heart to anybody."

After a year of studying computers at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Little joined the Marines a few weeks after President Bush was re-elected. He had worked on Bush's re-election campaign.

Little loved Jeep Wranglers, off-roading and being outdoors. "He loved the beach," Rose said. "He loved country music, but he wasn't much of a dancer."

He also is survived by his parents, Thomas and Jackie.

Marine Lance Cpl. Hugo R. Lopez

English teacher Gayle Smith could always count on Hugo R. Lopez coming to see her, first as a student and later as a faithful volunteer who helped drive other teens to volunteer jobs.

"He was a big-hearted guy, always responsible, always a leader," said Smith. "He was everyone's big brother, everyone's best friend. Whether it was a kid with special needs or a teen trying to stay out of gangs, Hugo was always there."

Lopez, 20, of La Habra, Calif., died Jan. 27 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio from wounds sustained from an explosive in Rawah on Nov. 20. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton.

In high school, he played football on his school's 2003 California Interscholastic Federation championship team. He enlisted in the Marines after graduating in 2004.

"He saw the Marine Corps as a way of helping him secure a future when he thought he could do good," she said of Lopez, who joined the Marines in 2004 and had won a number of medals during his short career. "He was a loyal Marine. He really felt like he could make a difference."

He is survived by his parents, Maria and Fidencio.

Marine Cpl. Brett L. Lundstrom

Cpl. Lundstrom

Brett L. Lundstrom visited his old school in uniform shortly after completing boot camp, pleased with the path he'd chosen, said U.S. history teacher Tom Coen.

"I do remember he made a point of coming by my room and saying how proud he was to be in the Corps and how much it meant to him," Coen said. "He was very proud to keep going on the tradition."

Lundstrom, 22, of Stafford, Va., was killed Jan. 7 by small-arms fire near Fallujah. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

"Brett loved people, and people loved Brett," said his mother, Doyla Lundstrom. "He lit up a room when he walked in."

A 2001 high school graduate, Lundstrom took part in Future Business Leaders of America his first three years. In his senior year, he ran on the cross-country team.

His father, Ed Lundstrom, was a career Marine officer for 20 years before retiring. That background, plus the 2001 terror attacks, had a big impact on his son.

"People wonder if this generation has what it takes. If they want to see that this generation is as great as the other ones, take a look at a guy like Brett and the guys he was serving with," said his father.

Army Pvt. Robbie M. Mariano

Pvt. Mariano

When Robbie M. Mariano's family thinks of him, an image often emerges of a young man humming a tune.

"I see him with his guitar, wearing a Green Day shirt and singing the band's songs for us Ñ we all thought it was funny," said Robbie's father, Bob Mariano.

"He would always sing," said his mother, Debbie Mariano. "He was always making people laugh, too. He was really popular; had lots of friends."

Mariano, 21, of Stockton, Calif., was killed Jan. 5 in Najaf by a roadside bomb. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood. He had planned to use the GI bill to go to college in 2008 and study law enforcement.

In one of his last e-mails, he asked his parents for guitar strings so he could play for his unit, and protein powder so he could keep up with them in the weight room.

His former English teacher, Carolyn Moore, remembered Robbie Mariano as a "jokester, jovial and lively."

"I will always remember him, because he would constantly come up to my desk and try to get out of an assignment. But I wouldn't give in, and he'd say, 'OK, well, I guess I'll go and do it then, Ms. Moore.'"

Army Capt. Michael R. Martinez

When Michael R. Martinez's father died a few years ago, he took over as head of the family, said his brother.

"He was the rock," Daniel said. "He was protective of me and my mother."

Martinez, 43, of Kansas City, was killed in a helicopter crash Jan. 7 near Tal Afar. He was assigned to Fort Carson and provided legal advice to troops in Iraq.

He served eight years as an enlisted soldier, then left for college and graduated law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1998, returning to the Army as an officer and lawyer.

"He had the whole thing planned," said his brother. "He said, 'I'm gonna go in the Army and get some money, then I'm going to law school, and then I'm going back in the Army and be an officer.' That was his goal. He wanted to become a major. He loved his job."

Martinez served with the staff judge advocate's office at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley after graduating, then moved to Fort Carson to become chief of legal assistance in the post's legal office.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly; three sons, Alexander, Colby and Benjamin; and two stepdaughters, Kathryn and Samantha.

Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan S. McCurdy

Lance Cpl. McCurdy

Ryan S. McCurdy's mother described her son as physically energetic since he was a child.

"Even the preschool teachers remember me having to wrestle him to get him take medicine when he was sick," said Jan McCurdy. She noted that his nickname was "Dirty" because he seemed to attract dirt.

"He was just always playing rough," she said.

McCurdy, 20, of Baton Rouge, La., died Jan. 5 of wounds from small-arms fire in Fallujah. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune and his older brother is also a Marine.

A 2004 high school graduate, McCurdy was a second team all-district catcher in baseball, a center for the football team and also played soccer.

Principal Peter Barnes said McCurdy was happy-go-lucky. "I never saw him angry unless it was about a ballgame; he was passionate about sports," he said.

Jan McCurdy said she thinks her boys' interest in the military started when they were young. There were Marines guarding a building where their father, Stan, worked.

"I told them that the Marines were angels protecting their father. I told them that the Marines are the top, and they always want to be the best," she said.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy

Staff Sgt. McElroy

An old friend who served with Brian McElroy said McElroy wasn't like the other guys he knew in the service, the ones who complained about their jobs and just wanted to put in their four years and get out.

"He wanted to make it a career," Chris Sauseda said. "He wanted to make rank and become like a chief. He loved his job. He loved every minute of it, helping people."

McElroy, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed Jan. 22 by a roadside bomb near Taji. He graduated high school in 1996 and was assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base.

He had recently moved from patrol to information security, where he was in charge of protecting the transmission and storage of classified military information.

"There's these few individuals that come along where you give them a job, a detail or a duty and they reach around and totally grasp it and take it to levels you never expected them to," said Chief Master Sgt. William Watson. "He's that type of guy."

McElroy also put in "fathering time" with children who temporarily needed a dad, said Chief Master Sgt. William Watson.

He is survived by his wife, Aymber, and a daughter.

Army Lt. Col. Michael E. McLaughlin

A gregarious wisecracker, Michael E. McLaughlin developed such a close relationship with tribal leaders that he was dubbed "The Sheikh of Sheikhs." It was a nickname that was soon picked up by fellow officers.

"Lt. Col. McLaughlin was not content with orchestrating and planning behind the scenes, but was an officer that led from the front," said Col. Grey Berrier. "He displayed extreme personal courage, selfless service and dedication to duty."

McLaughlin, 44, of Mercer, Pa., was killed Jan. 5 in Ramadi when a suicide bomber detonated in a crowd of Iraqi police recruits. He was assigned to Washington and became the first officer of the Pennsylvania National Guard killed in action since World War II.

He was instrumental in setting up the police recruiting drive, which attracted 300 people.

"He was a leader in word, deed and action." Berrier said.

McLaughlin was a 1980 high school graduate and joined the National Guard in April 1980. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy, and daughters Ericha, 18, and Erin, 10.

Army Sgt. Michael J. McMullen

Sgt. McMullen

Firefighter Michael J. McMullen had no problem telling his chief that he wasn't conforming to regulations because of his long mustache.

"Michael being the person that he was, he wanted to know how we could expect the troops to conform if the leaders didn't," said Fire Chief David See. "After that, I was affectionately called the Mustache Man."

McMullen, 25, of Salisbury, Md., died Jan. 10 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from injuries sustained on Dec. 24 when a bomb detonated near him in Ramadi. He was assigned to Baltimore.

McMullen was a volunteer firefighter in Princess Anne after graduating high school in 1999, and later received a paramedic certification at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury. He joined Salisbury's fire department in 2001.

"The world is a better place having had him in it and a lesser place with him gone," said Capt. Jim Gladwell. "He was a wonderful human being."

McMullen is survived by his fiancee, Kim Mundroff.

"He was gung ho, well-liked and well-respected," See said. "He was a hero. We've lost a friend."

Army Spc. Jacob E. Melson

Jacob E. Melson's sister recalled the unselfishness of her little brother and how hard it was for him to ask for anything, even this past Christmas.

"The only thing he ever asked me for was BBQ sauce and seasonings and a blanket," Sonja Melson said. "Jacob had a very big heart and wanted everyone to be happy no matter what the situation was."

Melson, 22, of Wasilla, Alaska, was killed Jan. 7 in a helicopter crash near Tal Afar. He was assigned to Anchorage.

He attended the Alaska Military Youth Academy and joined the Alaska Army National Guard in 2002. He married his wife, Sarah, just weeks before deploying to Iraq in the fall.

"I find myself trying to fight back tears as I laugh because a lot of the things I remember are Jacob just being himself, so silly, and that laugh he had that just sort of sucked you in," said Melson's little sister, Rachel Melson.

Melson enjoyed snowboarding, skateboarding and riding his BMX. He often helped fellow soldiers with their computer problems.

"He loved being Jake Ñ unabashed, unafraid and undaunted by the problems of life," said Sgt. John Smith.

Marine Lance Cpl. Raul Mercado

In high school, Raul Mercado was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the basketball, track and field, and cross-country teams. He also maintained a 3.5 GPA.

But he was still learning English, and his verbal SAT scores weren't high enough for an elite school like West Point, said his counselor, Oscar Ibarra.

So he chose the Marines, saying he felt it was the toughest military branch.

"It's sad," said the Rev. Charles Ramirez, who presided over his funeral Mass, "but if more young people had the values of Raul, this would be a better country."

Mercado, 21, of Monrovia, Calif., was killed Jan. 7 when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb near Karmah. He graduated high school in 2004 and was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

Born in America, Mercado joined his family in Mexico for several years before relatives persuaded him that getting an education in the U.S. was in his best interests.

"We had every class together," said former classmate Princess Jasmine. "He was just always smiling, so full of spirit. Just such a positive person."

Mercado is survived by his mother, Celia, and his father, who lives in Mexico.

Marine Sgt. Sean H. Miles

Sgt. Miles

Though he was a black-belt, martial-arts instructor and Marine, Sean H. Miles also was a big sweetie. He knew every Star Wars movie by heart and couldn't sit through an episode of "Cops" if children were involved.

Miles, 28, of Midlothian, Va., was killed Jan. 24 by small-arms fire in Karmah while going to the aid of one of his men. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

"He lived and breathed being a U.S. Marine platoon sergeant, and he died pulling a fellow Marine to safety," said Michael Miles, Sean's father.

In high school, where he graduated in 1996, he was a fullback on the football team, known for his heart on the field. He also adored the Redskins.

His sister, Erin, recalled how her brother would sniff out Christmas presents and torment her with the details. "He would say: 'I found Mom's hiding spot. Do you want to know what you got?'"

He is survived by his wife, Genevieve, and their 2-year-old son, Tyler

"He was a tough guy on the outside but such a softie on the inside," said Miles' mother, Debbie Miles. "I never thought Sean would be ready for fatherhood, but he grabbed the bull by the horns."

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jason L. Norton

Tech. Sgt. Norton

Jason L. Norton was 4,000 miles away in Alaska when longtime buddy Scott Miller, who was living in Oklahoma, lost his wife to cancer in March.

"He made it a point to come down from Alaska and be with me and my family," Miller said. "He's a very outstanding guy in my book."

Norton, 32, of Miami, Okla., was killed Jan. 22 by a roadside bomb near Taji. He was a patrol and K-9 officer assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Norton wrestled and played football in high school, graduating in 1991. He joined the Air Force in March 1992, and served at bases in Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Guam.

Norton's wife, Cristina Norton, said he was devoted to their two children, son Dalton, 7, and daughter Rebecca, 8.

"He was the best father in the world, and I said that before anything happened," she said. "Family was his everything."

Norton was a fan of car racing, especially of Dale Earnhardt Jr., and his favorite football team was the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He was a big hunter," said Eve Knoll, Norton's sister-in-law. "He got a bear last season. He loved to fish and hunt elk and deer."