Army Spc. Michael A. Martinez

Died September 08, 2004 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

29, of Juan Diaz, Puerto Rico; assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, based in Bamberg, Germany; killed Sept. 8 when his military vehicle rolled over in Baqubah, Iraq.

Michael Martinez was starting his second tour of duty in Iraq, and was excited to be there. "He was all for going to Iraq," said Sgt. Randy Miller. "I think he felt it was something he had to do as a soldier. He wanted to go there and be with the unit." Martinez, 29, of Juan Diaz, Puerto Rico, died Sept. 8 when his military vehicle rolled over in Baqubah, Iraq. He was based in Bamberg, Germany, and had deployed to Iraq just three days before his death. Martinez joined the Army a month after the Sept. 11 attacks as a cannon crew member, and earned his air assault badge at Fort Campbell, Ky. "He was a likeable guy, always trying to make people laugh; you really wanted to know him," Miller said. "He was a family man. He couldn't wait to get his wife over here and his Chihuahua, who was like a baby to him." Martinez is survived by his wife, Sarah.

— Associated Press