Army Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur

Died March 8, 2010 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of Lake City, S.C.; assigned to the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; died March 8 north of Al Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed was Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey.

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Soldier remembered for his strong character

The Associated Press

Aaron Arthur and his fellow heavy vehicle driver, Lakeshia Bailey, were like brother and sister — totally inseparable.

Arthur — who was known to family and friends as “Mooney” — loved nothing more than being on the road with his friend Bailey at his side.

“They played together, ate together, sang together, worked together, laughed together,” said Lt. Col. Shaun Tooke, the soldiers’ commander.

Arthur, 25, of Lake City, S.C., died while out on a mission with his friend. They were killed March 8 in a vehicle rollover crash north of Al Kut, Iraq. Both were assigned to Fort Benning. Arthur graduated in 2003 from Lake City High School and was on his third tour in Iraq.

The soldier played football in high school, sang in the church choir and also was in Junior ROTC.

Tamiko Swinton, Arthur’s sister, said her brother always was upbeat when they’d chat by computer while he was in Iraq.

“Whenever we talked we always laughed, joked and acted up and everything — keep in touch with each other,” she said.

Staff Sgt. Michael Jones, Arthur’s platoon sergeant, said the soldier’s strong character never was in question.

“His character was forged by determination and enduring past defeat,” he said.