Army Pfc. John E. Brown

Died April 14, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Troy, Ala.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed when a grenade exploded inside his Humvee in Iraq.

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The last words from John Brown to his family came in a message sent last week.

“He just e-mailed to let us know he was OK and that they were winding down and he hoped to be home soon,” his sister, Jessica Brown-Tatum, said. “He told us he was doing what he loved and not to worry about him, and should anything happen to just know he was doing what he loved.”

Brown, 21, of Troy, Ala., was killed April 14 in a grenade explosion near Baghdad while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. The incident is under investigation.

A former reservist, Brown joined the Army in October, and was based a month later at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. He was a radio communications specialist.

Tatum recalled how much her brother loved the military. “That was just his life.” She also remembered his kindness. “He was a big teddy bear and would do anything for you,” she said. “He had a heart of gold.

— Associated Press