Army Cpl. James E. Summers III

Died May 28, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Bourbon, Mo.; assigned to the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died May 28 in Abu Sayda, Iraq, of wounds sustained when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Also killed were1st Lt. Kile G. West, Sgt. Anthony D. Ewing, Cpl. Zachary D. Baker and Spc. Alexandre A. Alexeev.

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Family, friends remember soldier killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

Army Spc. Michael Watson described Cpl. James E. Summers III as a dedicated soldier and an outstanding friend. “He was never in a bad mood,” Watson wrote from Iraq, “and when I was down, he was always there to comfort me.”

Summers, 21, of Bourbon, Mo., was killed May 28 during a rescue mission in an attempt to save soldiers from a helicopter that was shot down in Abu Sayda, Iraq. He was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.

“Jimmy was someone that I looked up to. I could talk to him about anything, and he was always able take the worry off my shoulders,” said Tommy Summers, his younger brother.

Summers “was a hard worker that his peers and leaders could always count on to accomplish a task or mission,” said Capt. Mike A. Punaro.

“My dad once told me that you will only find maybe a hand full of real friends in your life time. He was definitely one of them,” Jillian Knuckles wrote in an online memorial bulletin board.

He is survived by his wife, Beth.

“I always knew it could happen, but I never thought it would happen,” said his brother. “He’s my hero he’s everybody’s hero.

He is a hero.”