Army Spc. Cody C. Grater

Died July 29, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Spring Hill, Fla.; assigned to the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 29 in Baghdad of wounds sustained from enemy direct fire.

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Fort Bragg-based paratrooper killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division was killed when his guard position was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near Baghdad, the military said July 30.

Spc. Cody C. Grater, 20, of Spring Hill, Fla., was killed July 29, the 82nd Airborne said. He was a vehicle driver with the 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

“Our son died doing what he was proud of,” said Grater’s mother, Anita D. Lewis, and stepfather, Larry L. Decker, in a statement. “It was his goal to make the Army his career, which he loved. He was proud of serving his country.”

Grater joined the Army in April 2006. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

“He was eager to learn and excelled at all aspects of his chosen profession,” said Lt. Jason Gardel, rear detachment commander of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade combat team. “Spc. Grater always went the extra mile to help out his comrades.”

The unit will hold a memorial service August 3 in Iraq.