Army Pfc. Bradley G. Kritzer

Died May 5, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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18, of Irvona, Pa.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed May 5 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

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Soldier from Clearfield County killed in Baghdad explosion

Associated Press

IRVONA, Pa. — A soldier from western Pennsylvania was killed in Baghdad, the Pentagon said.

Pvt. First Class Bradley G. Kritzer, 19, was killed Wednesday when an improvised explosive detonated under his vehicle, according to the Pentagon. Spc. James E. Marshall, of Tulsa, Okla., also was killed in the explosion.

Both soldiers were assigned to the First Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, of the Fort Hood-based First Cavalry Division.

Kritzer was raised in Irvona, a small town on the southern edge of Clearfield County about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

District Justice James Hawkins, who was Kritzer’s Little League coach, told The Progress of Clearfield that he spoke with Kritzer just last year about the future.

“He said he was going into the service. The last thing I said to him was good luck, take care of yourself, and be careful,” Hawkins said.

Kritzer graduated from Moshannon Valley High School less than a year ago.

“We’ve lost someone who had a lot of heart,” said Principal Jack Cunning. “He was a good student, a quiet student. He was a friend to everyone and well liked by the student body.”

School officials did not notify students of Kritzer’s death, but were offering counseling to those who knew him.

“Clearfield County mourns the loss of one of our own, one of our best,” said Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-Clearfield. “Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with Bradley Kritzer’s family and friends at this time. The community will never forget the sacrifice made on our behalf by someone so young but yet so brave.”

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Pfc. Bradley G. Kritzer of Irvona, Pa., was killed May 5 was his vehicle hit an improvised explosive, the Defense Department said in a statement.

Kritzer, 18, of Irvona, Pa., about 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, graduated from Moshannon Valley High School less than a year ago. School officials were offering counseling to students who knew him.

He was assigned to the First Batallion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, of the 1st Cavalry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas.

“We’ve lost someone who had a lot of heart,” said Principal Jack Cunning. “He was a good student, a quiet student. He was a friend to everyone and well liked by the student body.”

-- Associated Press