Army Staff Sgt. Aram J. Bass

Died November 23, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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25, of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Nov. 23 when his unit came under direct fire during combat operations in Baghdad. Also killed was Sgt. William B. Meeuwsen. The circumstances of the soldiers' deaths are under investigation as a potential friendly-fire incident.

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Niagara Falls soldier killed in Iraq trying to rescue others

Associated Press

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A 25-year-old Army sergeant from western New York has been killed in Iraq while trying to rescue wounded soldiers.

The family of Staff Sgt. Aram Bass was told by military officials Wednesday Bass was killed when he came under firebomb attack in Baghdad, according to a report Friday in The Buffalo News.

Bass was a member of the 101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, Ky. In September, he was deployed to Iraq.

His uncle, Donald Bass, told The Buffalo News the sergeant and his commanding officer were trying to evacuate soldiers wounded by a firebomb when a second bomb hit.

The Niagara Catholic High School graduate served for about three years in the Marines before enlisting in the Army.

“This is what I have to do,” Donald Bass recalled his nephew saying before his deployment.

Now, said the uncle, “I’m in pain ... I’m in disbelief. It’s almost surreal, and it feels like I’m watching this on TV.”

Family members described Bass as a strong and fun-loving family man and loyal friend. He is survived by his wife, parents and several brothers and sisters.