Sgt. Donald Furman , 24th Trans. Co., 541st Maint. Bn., Oct. 12, 2005

Family meant a lot to Donald Furman . Raised by his grandmother since he was a teen-ager, he left behind a wife and three children when he died with another member of his unit in an automobile crash in Balad on Oct. 12, 2005.

At his funeral in South Carolina, his friends and acquaintances vowed to maintain that strong family relationship in his absence. Chris Benjamin, Furman 's 18-year-old cousin, talked about the soldier's wisdom and guidance. "I'm taking Donald Jr. to get a haircut," he remarked. "He taught me how to cut the yard, now I'm teaching Donald Jr."

On his second tour of duty in Iraq, Furman was scheduled to return home in December. Family members said he did not talk much about the experience. "He'd just tell us to keep praying," remarked Arthur Benjamin, Furman 's uncle.

Furman also was noted for his love of wrestling and the drums.