Army 2nd Lt. Luke S. James

Lt. James

When Luke S. James joined the Army, it wasn't exactly a surprise.

"We all just knew that's what he wanted to do," said his mother, Arleen James of Hooker, Okla.

"He wore the Army fatigues. He'd just say 'I'm playing Army today.' We are talking when he was 3 or 4 years of age."

James, 24, was killed Jan. 27 when a roadside bomb exploded near Iskandariyah, Iraq. He grew up in Hooker, a town of about 1,500 people in the Oklahoma Panhandle, and was stationed at Fort Bragg. His father, Bradley James, is a retired Army Reserves major.

James played football in high school and graduated near the top of his class, then earned a degree in animal science at Oklahoma State University, where he was in the ROTC. He left for Iraq on Jan. 15, less than two weeks before he died.

"We had a couple of e-mails from him," Arleen James said. "Things weren't too busy and it was cold and he said that he loved us and missed us.

Survivors include his wife, Molly James, and 6-month-old son, Bradley.

Army Staff Sgt. Lester O. Kinney II

Sgt. Kinney

After the death of his stepfather, Lester O. Kinney became an especially important role model for his half-brother, who was just 12 at the time.

"He was just graduating high school and my father died his senior year," Kurtis Wayne Bennett said. "He just really took after me and kind of became my role model and I wanted to be just like him."

Bennett followed Kinney into the Army and the two talked weekly as Bennett hustled through basic training.

"He always told me, 'Don't worry. They're not yelling at you directly. It's just mind games.' He always told me I could do it."

Kinney, 27, of Zanesville, Ohio, was killed Jan. 27 near Iskandariyah, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded. He was stationed at Fort Bragg.

"He was very proud to be there and helping people. That's one thing he loved doing is helping. That was him," said Bennett, who is stationed at Fort Lewis.

Army Staff Sgt. Sean G. Landrus

Sgt. Landrus

Sean G. Landrus hated being behind a desk, so much that he declined an office job to serve in a combat zone.

"Sean died doing what he wanted to do," said his mother, Betty Landrus. "His wife talked to him the week before he was injured, and she said he sounded the best he had in a long time."

Landrus, 31, of Thompson, Ohio, died Jan. 29 from injuries he suffered when a roadside bomb exploded two days earlier near Khaldiyah, Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Riley.

The youngest of six children, Landrus excelled in football, basketball and track in high school and was known for his competitive spirit.

"He hated to be taken out of a game or anything when he was playing sports. If he got an injury or anything, he'd bug the coach to send him back out there," his mother said.

Landrus attended Kent State University before enlisting in the Army. He married Chris, his high school sweetheart, in 1995. The couple has three children.

"He did like the military life, but he was not planning on re-enlisting because he had a family," Betty Landrus said.

Army Pfc. Holly J. McGeogh

Holly J. McGeogh aimed for the Army from early in high school. She spent four years as a cadet with the JROTC before joining up after she graduated in 2002.

"She was totally dedicated to going into the Army -- that was her destiny," said her high school guidance counselor, William Teller. Teller said the uniform she wore to school once a week was festooned with medals.

The 19-year-old light-truck mechanic from Taylor, Mich., was killed Jan. 31 when her vehicle struck a homemade explosive device near the northern Iraq city of Kirkuk. She was stationed at Fort Hood.

"Holly is another reminder that our freedom truly is not free. Holly and her friends paid the ultimate price for all of us, without complaint or regret," the family said in a statement.

Army Sgt. Eliu Miersandoval

"He was just awesome, always had his head on straight," said his cousin Soledad McMillen, who played in the high school marching band with Miersandoval in San Clemente, Calif.

Miersandoval, 27, was among three soldiers killed Jan. 31 when an improvised explosive device hit their vehicle near Kirkuk, Iraq. Stationed at Fort Hood, he is survived by his wife, Amanda, and year-old son, Adrian.

Born in Durango, Mexico, Miersandoval could be counted on to come to McMillen's defense. She remembers a time when he stood up for her when she was picked on during marching band.

"My friends went to tell my cousin. Let's just say the guy never bothered me again," she said.

She recalled phoning Miersandoval just before he left for Iraq. "He said he was taking a bath, mellowing out with his son, that it would probably be his last bath for a long time," she said.

Army Sgt. Travis A. Moothart

Sgt. Moothart

Travis A. Moothart's older brother had served in Bosnia and Kosovo, and when the younger Moothart wanted to join the Army, his family resisted. Their fears increased when he was deployed to Iraq.

"I think I prepared myself when he went over there," said his mother, Sue Moothart, of Brownsville, Ore. "I knew his life was in danger every single day."

Moothart, 23, died Jan. 27 when an improvised explosive device detonated west of Baghdad.

Moothart enlisted in April 2000, and was sent to Iraq in September from Fort Riley. He also had done of tour of duty in Korea.

Survivors also include his father, Dennis.

Army Pfc. Luis A. Moreno

Pfc. Moreno

Born in the Dominican Republic, Luis A. Moreno came to the United States in 1991 with his family and wanted to become a police officer.

His sister, Michelle Moreno, said he was a good brother and son who often called from Iraq and asked to speak to everyone.

"He liked to joke around and sometimes ride people," she said. "But no one ever held it against him because he was a good guy."

Moreno, 19, of New York City, died Jan. 29 from wounds suffered after he was shot while on guard duty at a gas station in Baghdad. He was based at Fort Riley.

After graduating from high school in the Bronx, Moreno enlisted in the Army and had been stationed in Baghdad for three months. His family spoke to him about two weeks before he was shot.

"I told him, 'Keep your eyes open and be careful,' " said his father, Manuel Moreno. "And he said, 'I will, Dad. Hopefully, they'll be pulling us out in March or April and I'll be home.' "

Army Sgt. Cory R. Mracek

Just hours before he died in Iraq, Cory R. Mracek sent an online instant message to his mother saying everything was fine.

"He sounded good," said Pat Mracek, of Hay Springs, Neb. "He was getting ready to go out on patrol. He said, 'It's not as bad as you think, mom.' "

Mracek, 26, died Jan. 27 when a roadside bomb exploded west of Baghdad. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, and had left for Iraq on Jan. 16.

Pat Mracek said her son first joined the National Guard, then enlisted in the Army in 1996 when he couldn't find a job. He did two tours of Korea.

"He loved the military, he was so excited to go to Iraq, a little apprehensive, I think, but mostly excited," his mother said.

Mracek loved computers, video games and movies: "He's got so much 'Star Wars' memorabilia, I don't know where I'm going to put it all," his mother said.

Other survivors include his father, Jim.

Army Pfc. Cody J. Orr

As a teenager, Cody Orr was a typical country boy.

He was fond of John Deere ball caps and Western-style belt buckles and loved anything mechanical, said Wayne Nicholson, Orr's high school auto tech teacher.

"He was a good, solid kid," Nicholson said. "He's the kind of kid who would feel like he had an obligation to his country and would say, "I need to do that.' "

Orr, 21, of Ruskin, Fla., died Jan. 17 when a roadside bomb detonated north of Baghdad. He was stationed at Fort Hood.

Relatives said Orr was nearing the end of his yearlong duty in Iraq, and was a couple weeks from celebrating his first wedding anniversary. Orr and his wife, Jackie, had three weeks together after their wedding before Orr was shipped overseas.

"He and Jackie were buying a house and talking about having children," said his aunt, DiAnn Miller.

Army Spc. Gabriel T. Palacios

A native of Nicaragua, Gabriel Palacios joined the Army in 2002.

The combat engineer moved with front line troops, clearing mines, building temporary bridges and evaluating whether buildings and other structures were safe for troops to enter.

Palacios, 22, died Jan. 21 when a mortar round exploded near Ba'qubah, Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Hood, and listed Lynn, Mass., as his home.

Army Pfc. James D. Parker

James D. Parker's quick wit and smile earned him many friends in central Texas even though he lived there just two years.

"Every time I was with him there was always something to laugh about," said his girlfriend, Amy Bolline. "He was such a happy person you couldn't help but be happy right along with him."

Parker, 20, grew up in San Diego, where he developed a love for surfing, hip-hop and freestyle rapping. Shortly after he graduated from high school, his family moved to Bryan, Texas, and he came along.

Parker, based at Fort Hood, was killed Jan. 21 when a mortar round exploded near him near Baqubah, Iraq. He had volunteered for ordnance disposal.

Friends said Parker saw the military as an opportunity to develop discipline, a chance to make it on his own and a way to someday help pay for tuition at Texas A&M, where he hoped to study engineering.

"He felt like he had a calling. He was proud of what he was doing, so I'm proud of him," said his father, Jim Parker.

Parker also is survived by his mother, Lynnea Parker.

Army Spc. Larry E. Polley Jr.

During a two-week leave over Christmas, relatives tried to talk Larry E. Polley Jr. into quitting the military after he finished his current hitch.

But Polley said he wanted to retire from the Army.

"He told me, 'I'll be back,' said Larry Earl Polley Sr.

Polley, 20, of Center, Texas, was killed Jan. 17 when a roadside bomb detonated north of Baghdad. He was stationed at Fort Hood.

Polly was outgoing and active, his father said, and enjoyed fishing, video games and computers.

He is survived by his wife, Sebrena Polley, and three children.

Army Sgt. Edmond L. Randle

Edmond L. Randle was looked up to as a role model by his younger sister and cousins. He always did what he had to do, studied and stayed out of trouble.

"I hate to keep saying perfect, but he was the perfect kid, and that bothers me because I wonder why he had to be the one," said his mother, Karla Randle-West.

Randle, 26, of Miami, was killed Jan. 17 in an explosion on a road near Taji, north of Baghdad. He graduated from high school in Miami in 1995 and was based at Forth Hood.

Randle, a trumpet player and avid video game-head, attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla., on a music scholarship but later chose pharmacy studies. For four months, he worked as a Delta Airlines baggage clerk to help pay his tuition and expenses.

He was worried before going to Iraq, but soon became enthusiastic about helping people there, his loved ones said.

"He used to tell his mom how Iraqi kids came up and asked for something, anything, to eat," said his uncle, William McKnight.

Army Sgt. Randy S. Rosenberg

Sgt. Rosenberg

When Randy S. Rosenberg's wife, Misty, left New Hampshire to be with her husband at Fort Hood, she told her worried sister nothing could go wrong.

"I know it will work because I found my true soul mate," Melissa Boucher recalled her sister said.

"He had the ability to make anyone laugh or smile -- even at his own expense," Boucher said of her brother-in-law.

The couple was married for about 18 months when the 23-year-old was killed by a car bomb in Khaldiyah, Iraq, on Jan. 24. The Berlin, N.H., native was stationed at Fort Hood.

"To my knowledge, Randy had no fear," William Gemitti said of his grandson, whom he remembered as "a big, husky fellow" and a great fly-fisher, liked by all.

When the soldier was growing up, he often went fishing and hunting with his grandfather. Later, when he followed in the veteran's steps and went to war, the two wrote letters frequently to stay close.

"He was a good boy," Gemitti said.

Army Sgt. Keith Smette

Sgt. Smette

Keith Smette volunteered for duty in Iraq during his senior year at North Dakota State University, and relatives and professors said he wanted to give something back to his country after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"He was just a proud American, and he was proud to be doing this for his country," said his father, Doug Smette.

Smette, 25, of Makoti, N.D., died Jan. 24 when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb north of Fallujah, Iraq. His Army Reserve unit was based in Bismarck, N.D.

Smette was an avid hunter and fisherman and wanted to be an elementary school teacher, his father said. He enlisted in 1997, the year he graduated high school.

His brother also was serving in Iraq and his sister served in the Army. But Doug Smette said his son considered all his fellow soldiers to be family.

"In this little town that we live in, there's a lot of kids right around (Keith Smette's) age who were in the Guard, too," he said.

Army Spc. William R. Sturges Jr.

Spc. Sturges

William R. Sturges Jr. likely joined the military because of his selflessness, his mother said.

"Bill was always one to protect people. He was always a caring person," Linda Sturges said.

The 24-year-old infantryman from Spring Church, Pa., was killed Jan. 24 by a car bomb in Khaldiyah, Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Hood.

Sturges and his wife left their 16-month-old son in the care of relatives while they served in different units in Iraq. They planned to re-enlist together.

In the last e-mail Deida Sturges received from her husband a few days before his death, "he said he loved me and talk to you later," she said. He also asked about where they should go when they re-enlisted.

The couple met at a vocational school near Pittsburgh, and married in 2000. Deida Sturges was already in the Army when her husband transferred in from the National Guard.

Sturges is also survived by a 4-year-old son from another relationship.

Army 2nd Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe

Jeremy L. Wolfe wanted to go to Iraq to support his fellow troops, despite the escalating violence there.

"He wanted to get over there to be with his friends and comrades," said his father, David Wolfe.

The 27-year-old from Menomonie, Wis., was killed Nov. 15 when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq. He was based at Fort Campbell.

"My son was an officer and a gentleman. He believed in what he was doing and believed in his country. He will be missed dearly," David Wolfe said.

Wolfe, who joined the Army in 1996, also enjoyed his work. "He really liked to fly helicopters," Kevin Wolfe said of his cousin.

Survivors include his wife, Christine Tadeo.