Army Sgt. Ryan M. Campbell

Died April 29, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of Kirksville, Mo.; assigned to 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; one of eight soldiers killed April 29 by a car bomb as his unit was doing a dismounted improvised-explosive device-sweep in Baghdad.

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Memorial service for Kirksville soldier killed in Iraq

Associated Press

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Friends and family gathered May 7 for a memorial service honoring a soldier from northeast Missouri who was killed in Iraq.

Sgt. Ryan M. Campbell, 25, of Kirksville, was among eight killed April 29 in a car bombing in Iraq, the Department of Defense said.

Campbell was a member of the Army’s 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division.

The soldiers were removing roadside bombs from a highway south of Baghdad. Campbell’s mother, Mary Ann MacCombie of Kirksville, said the unit intercepted a station wagon crammed with 500 pounds of ammunition, and the driver detonated an explosive.

Friends and family recalled Campbell as someone who cared about his soldiers as well as the Iraqi people, and that he had a special love for children.

Campbell was stationed in Germany before he was sent to Iraq. He originally had been expected to return to the United States in April, but his duty in Iraq was extended three months.

“He’s supposed to be home now,” said MacCombie, recalling that her son called twice the day before he died. “His last words were, ‘I’ll be back in July.”’

Campbell is also survived by his father, Mark Campbell.