LCpl. Chad Metcalf Bales, U.S.M.C (NCD)

Coahoma Marine killed in Iraq

By LYNDEL MOODY Staff Writer

HOWARD COUNTY -- The cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom hit home today as Howard County learned one of its own has made the ultimate sacrifice.

In the early morning hours, a small group including three U.S. Marines and Howard County Sheriff Dale Walker were entrusted with the difficult task of informing family members of Pfc. Chad Metcalf Bales' death.

Bales, a 2001 Coahoma graduate and U.S. Marine, was killed in Iraq. Details of when and where the incident occurred are not yet available.

"We can't quit praying for our troops," said an emotional John Wayne Metcalf, Bales' step-father. "We need to press on and continue to support them and welcome them home."

This morning, Metcalf was remembering his Marine son with fierce pride.

"We want to tell everybody how proud of him we were and how proud of him we still are," Metcalf added.

The tragic news of Bales' death hit the small community hard.

"We have a lot of absences," said Frank Riney, Coahoma High School principal. "We have some teachers and students here not going at full speed because of the news. It's pretty subdued."

"Popular," "responsible," "team-player," "typical," "happy, go-lucky young man" -- were the words used by friends and former teachers to describe the Marine.

"Chad was the type of man who did whatever needed to be done," said CHS senior Billy-Bob Walker, Bales' former football teammate. "He never complained and always pulled his share of responsibly on the team. He was always a team player and showed team pride. Chad will be dearly missed and remembered fondly here."

Coahoma Head Football Coach Robert Wood echoed Walker's thoughts.

"Chad was a go-getter," Wood said. "He was the kind of kid who was a great team player. He gave great effort in everything he did and was always willing to play his role."

"He was very popular and well liked," Riney said. "He was very active in several activities. He was a typical kid, a happy, go-lucky person."

Bales was serving with the C556-11 Transportation Company motor transport unit, according to the Coahoma school district Web site. His picture and information are displayed on the site along with other Coahoma graduates currently serving in the military.

According to news reports, several U.S. military casualties occurred Thursday in Iraq, including the deaths of three U.S. soldiers were killed in apparent suicide attempt when a car exploded at a checkpoint.

U.S. armored units backed by warplanes seized control of Baghdad's airport today, while 2,500 Republican Guard soldiers south of the city surrendered to Marines, American officials said.