Army Sgt. 1st Class David A. Hartman

Died July 17, 2004 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

41, of Akron, Mich.; assigned to 401st Transportation Company, Army Reserve, Battle Creek, Mich.; killed July 17 when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an improvised explosive device in Bayji, Iraq.

David A. Hartman was a 21-year veteran of the military and a dedicated family man. "My brother was a family man, a hard worker, very dedicated to the military. It was his job," said Bill Hartman. "He was one of those people you could call and you could count on being there when you called." Hartman, 41, of Akron, Mich., was killed July 17 when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an explosive device in Beiji, Iraq. He was based at Battle Creek, Mich. A truck driver for an agricultural company in civilian life, Hartman was a veteran of the first Gulf War. His brother said he developed Gulf War Syndrome and could have asked for a medical discharge. "But he didn't try to get out," Bill Hartman said. "When he saw all the people who were going over there, he told me he wanted to join them, and lead by example." He leaves behind a wife, Robbin; a 21-year-old son, Benjamin; and an 18-year-old daughter, Heather.

— Associated Press