Army Sgt. Matthew C. Bohling

Died September 5, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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22, of Eagle River, Alaska; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; killed Sept. 5 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

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Family remembers soldier’s giant heart

Associated Press

Pastor Bradley Rud’s best stories about Matthew C. Bohling sprang from a church youth group trip to a lake.

“One of my favorites was my warning him not to stand up in a canoe at Nancy Lake. He ended up upside down only moments later, but he’s a good swimmer, so he didn’t have any problems,” said

Rud.

Bohling, 22, of Eagle River, Alaska, was killed Sept. 5 in Ramadi by a roadside bomb. He was assigned to Fort Benning and volunteered to go to Iraq for a first tour in 2003.

Bohling’s father, Charles, said his son, “loves the typical Alaska lifestyle and is happy with gun or rod in hand. Fun is at its best for him if a four-wheeler is involved.”

At a memorial service, Rud spoke of Bohling’s infectious spirit and his ability to brighten up even the darkest day.

“Impetuous, kind of fits, in fact — that’s something that got him into a little trouble on more than one occasion, but he also had a giant heart and an honest love for people and those are things that got him out of trouble on more than one occasion,” said Rud.

He also is survived by his mother, Sandra.