In Memoriam

Marine from Fowlerville killed in Iraq

Detroit News staff and wire reports

A 38-year-old Marine pilot who grew up in Fowlerville and graduated from Eastern Michigan University was killed in Iraq when his helicopter crashed near Ramadi, family members said.

Maj. Gerald Bloomfield was killed Wednesday along with his co-pilot, Capt. Michael Martino, 32, of Fairfax, Va., Department of Defense officials said Thursday.

Bloomfield's stepmother, Judy Bloomfield of Ypsilanti, said her stepson was proud of his efforts in the Iraq war. She said he was optimistic about the country's future and efforts to rebuild it.

"He strongly believed in what he was doing," she said. "He wasn't afraid. He wanted to fight for his country."

Born in Detroit, Bloomfield grew up Fowlerville and graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1985, Judy Bloomfield said. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University. Bloomfield had been stationed at Camp Pendleton in California since 1990.