Army Spc. Jeremiah W. Schmunk

Died July 8, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Richland, Wash.; assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 1st Calvalry, Washington National Guard, Moses Lake, Wash.; killed July 8 when his vehicle came under attack by rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire in Baghdad.

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Jeremiah Schmunk was a high school wrestler who placed sixth in the state when he was a senior in 2002. "He beat the best when he was at his best," said Rick Bowers, Schmunk's coach. "That was an inspirational moment for all the kids on the team." Schmunk, 21, of Richland, Wash., was killed July 8 after an attack on his patrol near Baghdad. He was a member of the Washington National Guard. Bowers described Schmunk as "really friendly, sociable and a good friend of my youngest daughter. He would do just about anything for anyone. He's going to be missed." On the day he died, Schmunk called his mother, Shirley Schmunk to let her know he was OK and say that he loved her, said his uncle, John Daly. Before his deployment late last year, Schmunk was living in Kennewick and attended Columbia Basin College.

— Associated Press