Army Sgt. Sean K. Cataudella

Died August 30, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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28, of Tucson, Ariz.; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Aug. 30 when the military vehicle he was driving hit an embankment and rolled into a canal in Ba’qubah, Iraq.

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Sgt. Sean K. Cataudella wrote to his parents from Iraq that he was spending part of his time chasing down Iraqi men who were shooting off machine guns in the streets — and the other part handing out candy to Iraqi children.

“Sean was such a compassionate guy. He felt for those kids,” said his father, Sal Cataudella.

Cataudella, 28, of Tucson, Ariz., died Aug. 30 when a vehicle he was driving hit an embankment and rolled into a canal. He was stationed at Fort Hood and was serving as a scout in Iraq, going ahead of other troops to scope out enemy terrain.

“He did it because he loved his country and he was always an adventurous soul,” his father said.

Cataudella joined the Army eight years ago after high school and also served in Bosnia, said his mother, Connie Cataudella. He didn’t have a chance to see his youngest child, Kai, born while he was in Iraq. Other survivors include his wife, Naomi, and children Alex, 7, and Damon, 3.

— Associated Press