Sgt. Jerry Mills , 1st Battalion, 13th Armor, Nov. 29, 2005

Acquaintances described Jerry Mills as a quiet, well-mannered young man with a good sense of humor.

"He was a kid who probably worked hard, played hard and studied hard," said Angela Harding, dean of students at the Arkansas City, Kan., high school where Mills grew up. "He was a quiet young man and really a fun-loving kid who obviously grew into a fine young man." Mills had a deep sense of loyalty that drew him to the Army. "He wanted to do it, he wanted to go in," said his cousin, Justin Mills . Sgt. Paul Belt, a member of his unit, was "impressed with his dedication, courage and selfless service." Belt described Mills as "a hard worker who could handle any task without supervision."

Mills , 23, and a fellow member of his unit, Sgt. Donald Hasse, were killed Nov. 29, 2005, by a roadside bomb in Taji. He was a 2001 high school graduate, on his second tour and assigned to Fort Riley.

Harding remembers Mills as a student who took some higher level courses, and was active in debate.