English: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin L. McDaniel, from Counsel Bluff, Kan., renders a final salute during a memorial service held near Hit, Iraq April 7, 2006, in honor of one of his unit's fallen . Ehle, a 19-year-old from Alexandria, Va., died April 2, 2006, as a result of a wound received during combat operations on March 28, 2006 in Hit. Ehle was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Freidburg, Germany-based 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to Regimental Combat Team 7 in western Al Anbar Province. Several of Ehle's fellow "Spartans" - the battalion's nickname - followed suit and spoke of Ehle as a soldier who was friendly, and capable beyond his rank. "Every time I saw him working, he had a smile," said Capt. Eric Stainbrook, Spokane, Wash. native and commander for Company A. "Pfc. EhleI'm proud to have served with you." (Photo by Capt. Mike Alvarez)