Army Spc. Aaron P. Latimer

Died May 9, 2006 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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26, of Ennis, Texas; assigned to the 562nd Engineer Company, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; died May 9 in Mosul, Iraq. The circumstances of his death are being investigated.

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Ennis soldier dies in Iraq; death under investigation

Associated Press

ENNIS, Texas — An Ennis soldier who died in Iraq had just been home in February and was due to finish his overseas service in three months, his mother said.

Spc. Aaron P. Latimer, 26, was found dead Tuesday in a bunker in the Iraqi city of Mosul, Army spokesman Maj. Nathan Banks said. The cause of death was under investigation.

Latimer was assigned to the 562nd Engineer Company, 172nd Striker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

The soldier’s mother, Betty Latimer, said her son was very outgoing and loved serving in the military, proudly noting an Army Achievement Medal he received.

“He liked ministering to people and talking to people,” she said, adding that the Army suited him well after trying several other jobs. He was unmarried and had no children.

She said her son also loved music and composed several pieces on the keyboard, which family members hoped to play at his funeral. Services were pending.

Army spokesman Kirk Gohlke said Thursday that Latimer’s death remained under investigation. The Army on Wednesday had said Latimer died from a non-combat related injury, but Gohlke a day later couldn’t confirm that.