Army Spc. Jacob P. Dohrenwend

Died June 21, 2010 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Milford, Ohio; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died June 21 at Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.

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Loved serving his country in the military

The Associated Press

While serving as an Army specialist in Iraq, Jake Dohrenwend sometimes used his money to buy items for Iraqi children.

“He always tried to lift the spirits of those around him, even in the worst of circumstances,” said his mother, Shannon Abernathy.

Dohrenwend, a Milford, Ohio, native, enlisted in 2008, the same year he graduated from Milford High School. He kept in touch with one of his teachers, Allison Willson, and sent her a letter from Iraq in October after receiving a package from her.

“I’m just doing my part and serving the country I love,” he wrote. “I’m thankful for the praise and the care packages, but it’s really unnecessary because I would do this job even if no one knew or cared.”

Dohrenwend, 20, died June 21 in Balad, Iraq, from injuries unrelated to combat. His death is under investigation. He was assigned to Fort Riley, Kan.

He also leaves behind his father, Jim Dohrenwend.

Dohrenwend left a message for friends and family to be read in the event of his death.

“I do not regret dying for a second,” he wrote. “I only regret we did not have more time. This isn’t really a goodbye, but a temporary distance between us.”