Army Spc. Jacob M. Lowell

Died June 2, 2007 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of New Lenox, Ill.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Air Assault), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy; died June 2 near Gowardesh, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using a rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire.

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South suburban Chicago soldier dies in Afghanistan

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO — A 22-year-old south suburban soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, his family said.

Army Pfc. Jacob Michael Lowell, of New Lenox, died Saturday, his family said in a statement issued Monday by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn’s office.

Lowell had been assigned to the 173rd Airborne in Vicenza, Italy. His family said he was serving his first overseas tour and had been in Afghanistan for two weeks.

Lowell was a 2003 graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox where he played football.

His family said he enlisted in the Army in October 2005 because he wanted to serve his country.

“He was a great son. We are very proud of him,” his father, Raymond Lowell, said in a statement. “He did what he wanted to. He gave 100 percent to anything he did.”

Funeral arrangements were pending, his family said.

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Soldier killed in Afghanistan remembered for love of football

The Associated Press

Army Spc. Jacob M. Lowell’s friend, Steve Strimel, said during his eulogy that Lowell lit a cigar while home on leave in April. After a few drags, Lowell wrapped the cigar and gave it to his friend for safekeeping, to finish when he returned.

During Lowell’s funeral, Strimel placed that same cigar inside his friend’s flag-draped coffin.

“I’ll always love you, Jake,” Strimel said.

Lowell, 22, of New Lenox, Ill., was killed June 2 near Gowardesh, Afghanistan, by small-arms fire. He was a 2003 high school graduate and was assigned to Camp Ederle, Italy.

In high school, Lowell was an offensive lineman, and Strimel was a running back. “He always made sure I had a hole to run through,” Strimel said.

Jumping from planes was one of the things Lowell liked about the Army. “He would always call and let someone know when he was scheduled to jump,” Strimel said.

He attended St. Xavier University before signing up. Lowell not only loved playing football, he was an avid fan. “He would yell ‘Go Bears!’ at the most unusual and inopportune moments,” Staff Sgt. James Christy said.

He is survived by his parents, Raymond and Bernardine.