Spc. Jeremiah Huges, non-combat death of a "Patriot"

Friends, family recall soldier as a 'real patriot'


The Army specialist from Jacksonville dies in Iraq from non-combat injuries.




By Jim Schoettler, The Times-Union


Jeremiah "Jere" Hughes died fulfilling a dream he'd had since he was a boy in Jacksonville: serving and protecting his country.


The Army specialist from a family of military men died Wednesday after suffering injuries in a noncombat incident in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, U.S. Department of Defense officials said. No other details were given.

Childhood friend Jonathan Story said Hughes, 26, had always wanted to join the military and practiced martial arts, bodybuilding and other training to reach that goal. The 1999 graduate of Sandalwood High School was active in the school's ROTC program and joined the Army shortly after graduating, Story said.

"He was a real patriot, the kind of guy who just wanted to go out there and do what he could," said Story, 27. "I think he would have been at least proud to know that he died trying to make a difference."
go here for the rest
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041108/met_267304929.shtml

Non-Combat death of Spc. Jeremiah C. Huges, of Jacksonville FL

Posted on: Thursday, April 10, 2008 6:37 AM HST
Schofield soldier dies in Iraq
Star-Bulletin Staff citydesk@starbulletin.com
A 26-year-old from Schofield Barracks’ Stryker Brigade Combat Team soldier died yesterday in Iraq.

Spc. Jeremiah C. Hughes, of Jacksonville, Fla., died in Balad of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Abu Gharab, the Pentagon announced this morning.

The Defense Department announcement said the incident was being investigated. The Army did not provide other details.

Hughes joined the Army in July of 1999 and was assigned to Schofield Barracks in January 2000, according to Schofield.

He was the seventh soldier assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team to die in Iraq since it was sent there last December.

Hughes’ unit, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, has lost three other solders. On Feb. 8, Spc. Michael T. Manibog, Staff Sgt. Jerald A. Whisenhunt and Sgt. Gary D. Willett were killed in Taji when their Stryker vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

Since the war in Iraq started on March 19, 2003, 82 soldiers, four sailors, 80 Marines, two Air Force personnel and one civilian with Hawaii ties have died there.