Marine Cpl. Kyle J. Grimes

Died January 26, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Northampton, Pa.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; killed Jan. 26 when the CH-53E helicopter in which he was riding crashed near Rutbah, Iraq. Twenty-nine Marines and one sailor also were killed.

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Bethlehem native killed in Iraq chopper crash

Associated Press

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Bethlehem native who loved fishing, football and learning about other cultures, and who planned a career in law enforcement, was among the 31 people killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq, his family said.

Cpl. Kyle J. Grimes, 21, wanted to work for the FBI after he got out of the Marines, according to his mother, Marybeth LeVan, a Bethlehem native who lives in Baton Rouge, La.

“His dedication made him a good Marine,” LeVan said. “He was always a Momma’s boy, so lovable and affectionate and really sentimental. We always could talk really well.”

Like most of the dead, Grimes was based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. He was expected to return by the spring.

LeVan, who last spoke to her son two days before Wednesday’s crash, said his death has strengthened her belief in the U.S. mission in Iraq, The Express-Times of Easton, Pa., reported.

“It makes me more convinced that we need to get this job done and have a positive influence there and make things better,” she said.

But his grandmother, Kathleen Grimes, said she didn’t like that he was there. “I think they should all come home,” she said.

The CH-53E Super Stallion went down in western Iraq while transporting troops for security operations in preparation of Sunday’s elections. The military was investigating the cause of the crash and gave no indication there had been enemy fire.