Army Pfc. Travis W. Anderson

When he was in kindergarten, Travis Wayne "Loopie" Anderson disappeared from school with a friend, putting the whole town on alert as police and others scoured the area.

"I found them in an abandoned house," said his uncle, Tracey Freel. "One of them still had his Teddy bear."

Anderson ran away with the same friend at about 14, but the second time it was not so innocent -- they stole his mother's car and drove to New Mexico before they were caught stealing gas. When police caught up to them, Anderson fired at their tires.

"Oh, that Travis. If he was an angel, the horns on his head kept the halo up," said Kandalyn Bradshaw, who grew up with him.

Anderson, 28, of Hooper, Colo., was killed May 13 when a car loaded with explosives slipped past a line of vehicles waiting at a checkpoint in Beiji, Iraq. He was based at Fort Stewart.

Anderson's family said the avid hunter struggled to finish high school, eventually getting his diploma at an alternative school after a battle with hantavirus, a sometimes fatal ailment.

Before he left for Iraq, Anderson told his sister he felt he was doing the right thing. "I am tired of being a screw-up," he wrote.

Marines Pfc. Stephen P. Baldwyn

Stephen P. Baldwyn wanted to become a Marine so he could see the world.

"He wanted adventure," said his mother, Stephanie.

Baldwyn, 19, of Saltillo, Miss., was killed May 9 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Nasser Wa Salaam. He was based at Camp Lejeune.

Baldwyn earned his Eagle Scout badge before graduating from high school in 2004 and leaving for boot camp.

"He was a real energetic kid," said high school principal Robert Smith. "He loved his community and his country."

Baldwyn e-mailed Smith from Iraq about how he was helping the people of Iraq rebuild their country. "He was more than willing to go. He was a very patriotic kid," Smith said.

Baldwyn is survived by his parents, Danny and Stephanie Baldwyn.

Army 1st Sgt. Michael J. Bordelon

Bordelon

In high school, friends called Michael J. Bordelon "Rocky" because he looked like Sylvester Stallone.

He had the brute strength to match -- he was an all-district football player.

Bordelon, 37, of Morgan City, La., died May 10 in San Antonio, where he was being treated at Brook Medical Center for injuries from a bomb that exploded in Mosul. He was based at Fort Lewis.

Bordelon graduated high school in 1986 and attended college at McNeese State University.

He is survived by his wife, Mila, and children, Mike Jr., Jacob and Johanna.

Dan Martin, whose mother-in-law lives across the street, said the soldier was always helping out, whether it was fixing a car or helping put together newly bought lawn furniture.

"He was the kind of guy that anybody would want as a neighbor," Martin said. "He was just a really good guy."

Army Spc. Joshua T. Brazee

Joshua T. Brazee was a computer whiz, and if he didn't make the machines sing and dance, he came close.

"He could make them talk and squeak," said his father, Kevin. "He would step up (upgrade) the computers on his own."

Brazee, 25, of Sand Creek, Mich., died May 23 in Qaim, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. He was based at Fort Carson.

Brazee was a good student and played football in high school. After graduating in 1998, Brazee joined the Navy as a way to go to college.

"He was looking for education to further him in life," said his father. "The Navy offered the best program."

He was in the Navy for four years and tried to find a job in his hometown, to no avail. His father said at that point his son decided to re-enlist, this time in the Army.

He planned to go to college and study computers and engineering after he finished his tour in Iraq.

"That was something he was training to do through the Army," his father said. Brazee is also survived by his mother, Teresa.

Army Staff Sgt. William J. Brooks

Brooks

William J. Brooks liked silly sitcoms like "Giligan's Island" as a kid and used to make everyone laugh. But when he joined the Army, his serious side emerged.

"He was very serious and he was a man," said family friend Warren Holsey.

Brooks, 30, of Birmingham, Ala., was killed May 3 in a roadside bomb explosion while conducting a security mission in Baghdad. He was based at Fort Stewart.

Brooks is survived by his wife, Roxanne, and daughters Ayana, 11, and Aaryan, 5.

Called Jerome by his mother, Brooks learned to play the drums in high school and graduated in 1992. He joined the Army eight years ago to take care of his daughter.

Brooks mailed a Mother's Day card early this year so it would reach his mother, Linda, in time. He wrote that he wanted to "make it back home to see everyone," but kept a positive outlook.

"He said, 'I read my Bible and I stay prayed up and if something happens to me it's just my time to go,"' his mother said. "I guess God had another mission for him."

Army Staff Sgt. Samuel T. Castle

Castle

Della Castle Payne said she last heard from her son, Samuel T. Castle, on Mother's Day by phone and e-mail.

"He was pretty upbeat," she said. "He said, 'Mama don't worry about me. I'm coming home. I'm coming home.' But we never thought he'd be coming home this way."

Castle, 26, of Naples, Texas, died May 11 when an explosive detonated near his convoy in Asad. He was based at Fort Bragg.

Castle, who graduated from high school in 1996, excelled in baseball and football. He went to Tyler Junior College before joining the military. "He really was going to make a career out of it," his mother said.

"He was a real nice young man. He loved sports: basketball, baseball and football," said his paternal grandfather, John Raymond Castle.

Both Samuel Castle and his wife, Nicole, a fellow soldier, were sent to Iraq at the end of November, leaving their 1-year-old son, also named Samuel, with her parents.

The soldier also is survived by a 6-year-old daughter, Mia.

Marine Sgt. Aaron N. Cepeda Sr.

Sgt. Cepeda

It was love at first sight when Aaron Nathaniel Cepeda met his wife, Ella, on a church retreat in 1999. The couple married and had two children, but they wanted another ceremony at St. Anthony's Catholic Church when he returned from Iraq.

Instead, his family had his funeral there.

Cepeda, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, was killed May 7 by a suicide bomber in Anbar province. He was based in San Antonio.

Cepeda earned a bachelor's degree in biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He planned to attend Marine officer training, and also had been accepted for medical instruction at the University of Texas Health Science Center. His dream was to become a cardiovascular surgeon.

"He always liked to help people," his wife said.

He is survived by a son, Aaron Jr., 5, and a 16-month-old daughter, Journee.

"I'm hoping my son will grow up to be like his daddy was," Ella Cepeda said. "I don't think there is anyone like him or anyone that could ever be like him."

Army Spc. Tyler L. Creamean

Tyler Loren Creamean got married just after Valentine's Day and was about to re-enlist in the Army so his new bride, a fellow soldier, would not be alone in Iraq.

"He was wonderful, very caring, giving, very lighthearted person," said his aunt, Rochelle Hughes.

Creamean, 21, of Jacksonville, Ark., was killed May 22 when a bomb struck the gas tank of the vehicle he was riding in, causing it to burst into flames. He was based at Fort Lewis.

Creamean was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and attended school in Arkansas.

His mother said a program called Youth Challenge, aimed at helping high-school dropouts and those at risk of dropping out, helped change her son's life. In the 22-week program, sponsored by the Arkansas National Guard, Creamean gained an interest in the military.

He got married on his 21st birthday, Feb. 24, to his wife, KaMisha.

"He loved people from all walks of life," said his mother, Rebecca Callaway-Hout. "Even at the end, his colonel said he was yelling for the medics for the other guy."

Marine Lance Cpl. Wesley G. Davids

Wesley G. Davids was enthusiastic when he last spoke with his mother from Iraq. It reminded her of the passion he had shown for rowing.

"That defined Wesley in the boat and it defined him as a Marine. He wanted the camaraderie, the team spirit, being part of something bigger than he was," Jody Davids said.

Davids, 20, of Dublin, Ohio, was killed May 11, one day after his birthday, from an explosion while conducting combat operations in Karabilah, Iraq. He was based in Columbus.

Davids rowed with a local crew team and was inspired to join the military following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He decided a couple of weeks prior to his 2003 graduation from high school that he didn't want to attend college.

His mother was surprised by his enthusiasm the last time they talked and asked if he was having a good time.

"I'm having a great time," he replied. "I love the guys I'm serving with. I love what I'm doing. We're really well-trained. The mission is worth it."

He is also survived by his father, Michael Davids.

Marine Cpl. Dustin A. Derga

Derga

Dustin Derga asked for care packages with issues of Popular Mechanics and Peeps marshmallow candies. He had a clear list of what he missed the most: "toilet paper, Spam, summer sausage and pepperoni sticks."

"I miss everyone a lot and can't wait to get home, and go on about three vacations," he wrote.

Derga, 24, of Columbus, Ohio, was killed May 8 when he was caught in enemy small arms fire during combat near Ubaydi, Iraq. He was based in Columbus.

Derga attended Columbus State Community College, majoring in EMS and Fire Science. He had worked as a firefighter and had been in the Marines for five years.

Robert Derga said his son was a great pitcher and catcher.

"I remember all the weekends we would go out to the ball diamonds and watch him play ball. Really enjoyed that. He loved working with his hands. He just loved doing things and getting his elbows dirty," he said.

Derga's girlfriend, Kristin Earhart, said he longed to cuddle with her on the couch, go on vacation and move to Florida when he returned from Iraq.

Marine Pfc. Christopher R. Dixon

Christopher R. Dixon was a "girl magnet" who worked at a bowling alley in high school and liked to impress friends by knocking down pins, facing backwards and rolling a ball through his legs.

"He'd do it just to show off," said Michele Hatfield, a friend. "Anything to get a laugh out of people."

Dixon, 18, of Williamsburg, Ohio, was killed May 11 when an explosive erupted near his armored transport vehicle in Karabilah, Iraq. He was based in Columbus.

Dixon loved to ride horses and his dirt bike and spent his free time deer hunting and fishing.

"He was fearless," said his father, David Dixon. "He kept trying until he got it."

His mother, Beckie Dixon, tried to talk him out of joining the military, but he joined the Marines right after high school.

On the day she received news of his death, his mother also got a letter from Iraq -- her first in five weeks.

On the back of the envelope, he wrote, "Be back soon. USMC."

Army Sgt. Gary A. Eckert Jr.

While in Iraq, Gary "Andy" Eckert Jr. asked female soldiers to show him how to braid hair so he would be able to handle his daughter's when he returned home.

"We're never going to let his children forget who their daddy was," said Bret Howland, who said he thought of Eckert as a son. "That's the goal from now on: to keep the spirit alive of Andy Eckert."

Eckert, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, was killed May 8 after an explosive detonated near his vehicle in Samarra. The reservist was based in Monclova, Ohio.

He is survived by his wife, Tiphany, daughter, Marlee, almost 2, and newborn son, Miles.

Eckert grew up in Whitehouse, Ohio, and graduated from high school there. Although he was a huge University of Michigan fan, he spent afternoons cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes with his friends.

In his first tour in Iraq, Eckert sustained injuries for which he received the Purple Heart.

"Andy didn't have to go back to war. He came back a Purple Heart recipient," said Brig. Gen. Michael Beasley. "He was someone who taught us a whole lot about wearing a uniform, about being a father, about being a husband, and about being an American."

Army Pfc. Wyatt D. Eisenhauer

Eisenhauer

Wyatt D. Eisenhauer had dyslexia, so he picked up all kinds of knowledge the way he could -- by listening. He taught himself how to play guitar and did well enough in school to earn a scholarship to college.

"Wyatt was like a sponge. He'd seen something or heard something and he absorbed it because he couldn't depend on reading it," said his mother, Gay. "There wasn't anything he couldn't master."

Eisenhauer, 26, of Pinckneyville, Ill., died May 19 in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on an escort mission when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. He was based at Fort Riley.

Eisenhauer placed first in a state diesel equipment technology competition and earned a scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University for automotive technical training.

When he was 21 and his youngest sister, then 8 1/2, was diagnosed with rare autoimmune disease that required chemotherapy treatments, he would lie on the floor with her, clean up after her and change her clothes.

"Wyatt was never about him," his mother said.

He is also survived by his father, Fred.

Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Erdy

When his unit needed to build a roadblock, Nicholas B. Erdy was the only one who knew how to drive a front-end loader -- a skill he learned working with his father on landscaping jobs.

"He said, 'All I did was pile up a bunch of dirt, but if they want to give me a medal for it, I'll take it,"' said his grandmother, JoAnn Rosselot. "That was Nick. No big splash. No big ego."

Erdy, 21, of Williamsburg, Ohio, was killed on May 11 when an explosive erupted near his armored transport vehicle in Karabilah, Iraq.

Blond and blue-eyed, Erdy was 6 feet 3 inches and played football in high school. He drove a classic Ford Mustang and liked to hunt with his father. He graduated in 2002 and joined the Marines the following year.

A week before his unit left Columbus, Erdy proposed to his high-school sweetheart, Ashley Boots. The wedding was to be sometime after his expected return in November.

Rosselot got a letter from her grandson on the day the family learned he had been killed.

"We're as safe as we can be," he wrote.

Army Sgt. Robin V. Fell

Robin V. Fell was an avid triathlete and dedicated student -- studying business administration while serving in the National Guard.

Fell, 22, of Shreveport, La., was killed May 19 in Baghdad after dismounting a tank. He was based in Shreveport, La.

The oldest of six children, Fell loved to hunt, fish and run.

He was the son of educators. His mother, Catherine Fell, is Vice President for Development at Centenary College, where he was a freshman. His father, Roger Fell, is a teacher.

Fell was set to come in a few weeks for two weeks of rest and relaxation. In Iraq since late October, his tour of duty was set to end this fall.