Army Sgt. Johnny J. Peralez Jr.

Cristina Ruiz was Johnny J. Peralez Jr.'s former neighbor, and called him the "nicest, funniest, best friend I've ever had."

"We lived about five feet apart, and we were always trying to make each other laugh," said Ruiz. "Johnny would win hands down, because he had a good slow motion technique."

Sgt. Peralez

Peralez, 25, of Kingsville, Texas, was killed Jan. 5 in Najaf by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Hood.

Peralez was on the high school tennis team, played alto sax in the band, acted in one-act plays, and because of his interest in the arts, his teachers thought he would pursue a career in theater.

Instead, a year after his graduation in 1998, he enlisted in the Army and followed in his mother's healing footsteps to become a combat medic. He served in Germany and in Kosovo and, after the 2001 terror attacks, was part of the first contingent of American troops in Afghanistan.

"He was always so witty and in such a good mood because he wanted to make everybody happy," said Cynthia A. Perez, his former tennis coach.

He is survived by his father, Johnny J. Peralez Sr., and mother, Virginia Garcia.

Army Capt. Christopher P. Petty

Stationed near the Iranian border, Christopher P. Petty devised a clever but risky method for responding to frequent mortar attacks.

He'd calculate the mortars' trajectories by examining impact craters and tail fins, then determine from where the rounds had been fired.

"He'd go out where they were impacting, sometimes while they were still coming in," said his father, Paul R. Petty.

Petty, 33, of Vienna, Va., was killed Jan. 5 in Najaf by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Hood and was on his second tour.

"There was no question in his mind that he had to go back with his soldiers for the second deployment. He would never expect them to do anything he wouldn't do himself," said his father.

He was born in Berlin and lived in Austria, Finland and Jamaica. He graduated from Marshall University in 1996 with a degree in criminal justice.

When he was commissioned, Ed Petty, an artillery officer in World War II, pinned his own second lieutenant's bars and crossed cannon artillery insignia on his grandson.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and sons Oliver, 3, and Owen, a newborn.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Price

School Superintendent Alan Estes remembers Jonathan K. Price as a positive presence on his small campus -- well-respected and always busy.

"He was a great kid in school, always smiling," Estes said. "He was a super kid to have around the building. He'll be thoroughly missed in the community."

Price, 19, of Woodlawn, Ill., was killed Jan. 13 by small-arms fire in Ramadi. A 2004 high school graduate, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

He played baseball and golf, and was in the student council, Library Club and Spanish Club. He helped produce the yearbook and served as Homecoming Emcee during his senior year.

Price also sang in the choir at Woodlawn Christian Church and was an Eagle Scout. His classmates voted him "Teacher's Pet" and gave him the Spirit Award.

"His life had touched so many throughout our small town; whether it was helping with a church project, umpiring a youth baseball game, or raising money for a worthy cause, Kyle was there," according to a school tribute site.

He is survived by his stepfather John Hunsell, mother Cheryl Hunsell, father David Price, and fiancee, Brea Tate.

Army Sgt. Jason Lopez Reyes

Dressed in a military uniform bearing his slain father's name, 2-year-old Jayrill Lopez stood beside the grave where Jason Lopez Reyes was laid to rest.

"Our knees must bend tonight to ask God to once and for all to grant us peace, that the president of the United States can bring a solution to this situation that affects all these homes," the Rev. Jorge Alvarez told the crowd of about 200.

Lopez, 29, of Hatillo, Puerto Rico, was killed Jan. 5 when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy on the outskirts of Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Stewart.

Family and friends at the funeral in Hatillo, about 57 miles west of the capital of San Juan, wore T-shirts that read, "Siempre te recordaremos Jason" -- "We will always remember you, Jason."

Wearing homemade fatigues, Jayrill Lopez stood at the feet of his father's mother, who sobbed softly and wore a T-shirt that read: "Jason, hero of my heart."

Armando Lopez, the soldier's father, said he was thankful for "the help of the people of Puerto Rico," and asked for a round of applause to honor his fallen son.

He is survived by his parents, his wife and another son.

Army Pfc. Brian J. Schoff

Brian J. Schoff loved dressing like Superman as a tyke, striking the superhero's pose in his red and blue pajamas. "Superman" became his nickname, even in adulthood.

"They called him that because he had a Superman tattoo on his left chest, right above his heart," said his mother, Cathy Odle.

Schoff, 22, of Manchester, Tenn., died Jan. 28 in Baghdad from a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

His mother said she will particular miss those times when he bear-hugged her, leaned into her ear and said, "I love you, Mama."

"He didn't care who knew it," she said proudly.

Schoff joined the Army in 2003, a year after he graduated high school, where he played defensive end for the football team.

"He wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. He thought the military was the best job and it was a way he could do something for his country," his mother said.

Schoff, a hunter and outdoorsman, thrived in the rough-and-tumble world of the infantry, said his family. He completed the rigorous Air Assault School at Fort Campbell.

He also is survived by his father, Brian.

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua A. Scott

Luke Raby, Joshua A. Scott's best friend and fishing buddy, said that his friend's strength always impressed him.

"Pound for pound, he was the strongest person I've ever met in my life," he said, adding that Scott could do 180 one-armed push-ups.

Scott, 24, of Tunnel Hill, Ga., died Jan. 23 in a vehicle accident near Taqaddum. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.

Scott was a 2001 high school graduate. His wrestling coach, Phil Daniel, said Scott was a four-year starter who finished second in the state his senior year.

"He was one tough nut and would fight you to the finish with everything he had," Daniel said.

The fact that Scott was an Anti-Terrorism Battalion member didn't surprise friends like Jody Crawford: "He would never shy away from the things that were tough."

Scott is survived by his wife, Mendy, and their newborn daughter, Carmien.

"My husband and I said 100 times, we couldn't have picked a better boy for our daughter if we'd gone out and hand-picked him ourselves," said mother-in-law Mendy Scott. "He had high morals and standards. He was the best thing that ever happened to our daughter."

Army Pfc. Adam R. Shepherd

Hector Santiago recalled former student Adam R. Shepherd as gung-ho to be in the military.

"He was an even-keeled, happy-go-lucky type of guy," said Santiago. "I was shocked to hear about his death, but it's good to know he was serving America."

Shepherd, 21, of Somerville, Ohio, died Jan. 17 of heart failure in his sleep in Baghdad, his family said. He was assigned to Fort Campbell and was on his second tour.

Shepherd was regularly lauded by his superiors for his positive attitude and for always volunteering for dangerous duty, relatives said.

Shepherd earned his diploma from Middletown's Life Skills Center, a computer-based charter school, and joined the Army in January 2003, said Charles Hall, administrator of the center.

"His main goal was to be in the service," Hall said.

He is survived by his mother, stepfather and father.

"Adam was an awesome kid, and was a blast to be around; he always had something hilarious to say or do no matter what. He was wild and crazy, and that was refreshing. He's going to be severely missed," said friend Molly Shalloe.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Chester W. Troxel

The last time Tom Blake saw Chester W. Troxel, his longtime friend and neighbor, Troxel was jogging with his wife.

"His wife is disabled, and when he ran, he would push her in a little sort of a bicycle with multiple wheels on it. They would just spend that time together," Blake said

Troxel, 45, of Anchorage, Alaska, was killed when his Black Hawk crashed Jan. 7 near Tal Afar. He was assigned to Anchorage.

He is survived by his wife, Sheree, and the couple's two children, Hollis, 17, and Summer, 14.

Sheree and her daughter both suffer from Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, which affects the lower extremities, making it difficult for them to walk.

"His whole world revolved around his wife and his kids," said Blake.

Troxel worked for Era Aviation for many years, working up to becoming director of maintenance. He was laid off last year during a downsizing, said Terry Bennett, vice president of the company's Alaska operations.

"He was just an absolute solid man," said Bennett. "He's the guy who kept those aircraft flying day in and day out in all the conditions that we have in Alaska."

Army Spc. Clinton R. Upchurch

Cindy Upchurch had just put the care package full of cookies and candy in the mail when she heard the terrible news -- her soldier son would never be able to open it.

Clinton R. Upchurch, 31, of Garden City, Kansas, was killed Jan. 7 in Samarra by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

The Army told Cindy Upchurch that Clinton "died a hero, that he saved his guys," she said. "Knowing Clint, I'm not surprised he died defending them."

Upchurch played football in high school and earned an associate's degree at Garden City Community College while working for the Finney County Sheriff's Office.

She had tried to talk him out of joining the military but couldn't, maybe because it was in his blood. His father, Greg, served in Vietnam; his grandfather and great-grandfather were veterans, too.

"It's been something he and I have been fighting about since he was 17," she said. "But I knew he would enlist and I knew he was doing something he wanted to do. He loved the service and defending his country."

He also is survived by his wife, Kari, and stepsons, Earl and Ryan.

Army Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Vanderhorn

Christopher J. Vanderhorn was an animal lover. As a junior high school student he had a paper route and would return with furry friends.

"He used to leave home without a dog, and by the time he got home he had five or six dogs," said his father, Bob Vanderhorn. "He didn't know who the people were but he knew which dogs went with what house."

Vanderhorn, 37, of Pierce, Wash., was killed Jan. 1 in Sinia after an explosive detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

After high school, he spent nearly eight years in the Army stationed in Hawaii, Italy, Bosnia and Sierra Leone. He came home to Washington and worked as a security officer and as a police reservist and as an officer of the court in Pierce County.

"He always wanted to be a hero," said his mother, Nancy. "He always wanted to be either a policeman, soldier or fireman."

One of the funniest memories she has is when her son got a Batman costume when he was about 3 years old, she said. "He wore his Batman cape for a whole year."

He also is survived by his wife, Teresa, his 5-year-old son Max and his 4-month-old son Liam.

Army Pfc. Peter D. Wagler

Pfc. Wagler

Before leaving for Iraq, Peter D. Wagler wrote a letter and gave it to his parents to put in the family's safe. It was to be opened only if he didn't make it back.

"He said he had no regrets," said his father, David Wagler. "He said, 'I would rather live my life fully and die young, than live a long and boring life.'"

Wagler, 18, of Partridge, Kan., was killed Jan. 23 in an explosion near his tank in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Hood.

From the age of 5, Wagler talked about joining the military, his father said. Posters of jet fighters decorated his bedroom wall. He craved speed and excitement but also was active in a variety of church activities.

Wagler was homeschooled and in 2003 enrolled in classes at Hutchinson Community College, where he studied nursing. He had a knack for mechanical things and seemed to be able to fix anything.

His older brother, Vanya Wagler, described Peter as a boy with a mischievous side, who liked playing with firecrackers and had enormous amounts of energy.

"Wherever he went," Vanya Wagler said, "he had a good time."

He also is survived by his mother, Trish.

Army Spc. Ryan D. Walker

Ryan D. Walker wasn't the best wrestler on his high school team. But he was one of the hardest working and never gave up.

Spc. Walker

"He would outwork everyone in the room," said his former teacher and wrestling coach, Dale Freeman.

Walker, 25, of Stayton, Ore., was killed Jan. 5 in Baghdad by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Stewart.

He graduated high school in 1999, where he earned three varsity letters for wrestling and ran track. He trained as a firefighter paramedic at Chemeketa Community College and hoped to one day become a physician's assistant.

Walker's father, Randy, served in Vietnam and his grandfather fought in World War II. In April 2005, Walker earned a Purple Heart after being shot in the leg. He said he was grazed by a bullet while rushing to help soldiers hit by a car bomb in Baghdad.

"He was proud of what he was doing," Freeman said.

He also is survived by his mother, Louise.

"Specialist Walker carried on his family's long history of service in the United States military, and in doing so, he represented all the citizens of Oregon with honor and pride," Gov. Ted Kulongoski said.

Marine Cpl. Justin J. Watts

In high school, Justin J. Watts was a founding member of the ice hockey team. He was also something of a cheerleader.

Cpl. Watts

"He was definitely one of the above-and-beyond guys," said his hockey teammate Mike Urgo. "I was only a sophomore and he definitely took me under wing. We were getting shut out 10-0, and he kept my spirits high."

Watts, 20, of Crownsville, Md., died Jan. 14 from an apparent non-hostile gunshot wound in Haditha. He was on his second tour and was assigned to Camp Pendleton.

"We are extremely proud of Justin, and we will miss him dearly," said his father, James A. Watts.

Watts was also a lacrosse player, swam and raced BMX bikes. Watts' lacrosse coach, Steve Spence, described him as "very respectful, super responsible. He was a great kid."

Urgo's father, Don, who coached the hockey team, described Watts as "a big guy" who was "very mild-mannered."

"He had a huge following of fans who would come to the game just for him -- people liked him," Don Urgo said.

He joined the Marines shortly after graduating in 2003. One month before shipping off, Watts married his high school sweetheart, Nicole.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Stephen J. White

Sgt. White

Stephen J. White had a favorite phrase -- "too easy" -- that summed up his bright outlook.

"If you asked him to do something, he'd say 'too easy,'" said friend Ronnie Jones. "That meant he could get it done, no problem."

White, 39, of Talladega, Ala., was killed Jan. 5 in Najaf by a roadside bomb. He graduated high school in 1984 and was assigned to Fort Hood.

Anthony Millender said he would remember White's relentless energy. The two used to climb trees and joined the Army about the same time. White wanted to open a barbecue restaurant after he retired.

His brother, Stanley, said he last spoke with his brother in mid-November, shortly before he shipped out for the fifth tour of combat duty in his 20-year military career.

"He was more than my brother, he was my best friend, my Sunday school teacher, everything I wanted to be. We were inseparable, and I will always have a special love for him," he said.

He is survived by his wife, Vicky, and children Latisha Turner, Stefan White, Amber Ann White, Cornelius White, Jaylon White, Stephanie White and Stephen L. White.

Army Spc. Clifton J. Yazzie

Clifton J. Yazzie liked to catch bugs, loved to read about dinosaurs and study reptiles. That fascination is a trait that has been passed on to his daughter.

Spc. Yazzie

"He loved chasing snakes and lizards. Now his daughter likes that," said his mother, Jeanette Yazzie. "She wants a pet snake now."

Yazzie, 23, of Fruitland, N.M., was killed by a roadside bomb Jan. 20 in Hawijah. He was on his second tour and was assigned to Fort Campbell.

Yazzie was a 2001 high school graduate and was part of the state championship basketball team in his senior year.

Yazzie had always wanted to be a soldier, his mother said. As a child, he used to take tree limbs and sticks and turn them into guns to play war. Enlisting in the military is somewhat of a family tradition.

One of Yazzie's favorite things to do when he was homes was to change into his old pants and shirt and butcher sheep, recalled his wife, Michelle.

"He'd come back smelling like sheep," his wife said.

"The kidneys were his favorite part," his mother said.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and children Chaynitta, 3, and Cayden, 1.