Marine Lance Cpl. Nickolas D. Schiavoni

Died November 15, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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26, of Haverhill, Mass.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; killed Nov. 15 by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Karmah, Iraq.

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Marine from Massachusetts killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

HAVERHILL, Mass. — Lance Cpl. Nickolas D. Schiavoni was a young man who found direction in life when he got married and joined the Marines, his grandfather said.

Schiavoni, 26, of Haverhill, was killed Nov. 15 by a suicide bomber driving a vehicle while his unit conducted combat operations near Karmah, Iraq, the Pentagon said.

He attended an alternative high school associated with Haverhill High School, and graduated in 1997 as the most outstanding student, said his grandfather, David J. Swartz.

“He found focus when he got to be a junior, and I was so proud when he was selected as the outstanding student,” said Swartz. “When he got involved with his present wife, he decided to go into the service. She was good for him. He thrived with the Marines, and the Marines were good for him.”

Schiavoni died helping another member of his unit, his grandfather said. A sergeant saw a car that appeared peculiar and went to investigate. Schiavoni and another member of the unit followed in support. The car exploded, killing Schiavoni.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

It was his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had received a Purple Heart during his first tour, said his grandfather.

Schiavoni is survived by his wife, Gina Howe Schiavoni, and their children Marissa, 5, and Alex, 3. His mother, Stephany Kern, lives in Westerly, R.I., and his father, David Schiavoni, lives in Monson, the grandfather said.