Army Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie

Died July 18, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Independence, Mo.; assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4-64 Armor Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.; died when an explosive device detonated beneath the vehicle he was driving, throwing him from it, July 18 in Fallujah, Iraq.

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Joel L. Bertoldie sent an e-mail to his family from Iraq, talking about how much he looked forward to coming home. “He missed his family,” said his mother, Debi.

Hours after sending that note, Bertoldie died — killed July 18 when a bomb detonated beneath his vehicle. The 20-year-old from Independence, Mo., was stationed at Fort Stewart.

Bertoldie had made good grades in high school and wanted to become a marine biologist, said his grandmother, Judy Hampshire. She remembers him as a bright, outgoing kid who loved riding self-propelled skis and teasing his grandparents over why his favorite team — the Dallas Cowboys — was so much better than the Kansas City Chiefs.

“He was just pretty happy-go-lucky. If he wanted to do something, he did it. He didn’t hold back.” said Debi Bertoldie.

He is survived by a 10-month-old son, Jesse.

— Associated Press