FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) – A Fort Hood soldier from Massachusetts has died in Iraq, the Defense Department said Monday.
First Lt. Andrew J. Bacevich of Walpole, Mass., was killed Sunday when an improvised device exploded while he was on a combat patrol in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, according to the military.
Bacevich, 27, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.
Bacevich’s sister, Jennifer Bacevich, 34, said her brother joined the Army after he wasn’t able to enroll in ROTC because of his asthma. When the military eased its restrictions, he went on to train to be an officer.
Despite his asthma, Jennifer said her brother was active and athletic.
“He was a guy who liked to run marathons,” she said. “He liked to be with his friends. He was a real funny guy. He liked to run. He liked to play soccer.”
Her brother was single at the time of his death, she said.
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