LCpl. Benjamin R. Carman, U.S.M.C (KIA)

Marine from Jefferson, Iowa, among recent dead in Iraq

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa Marine was among the American soldiers killed in this week's heavy fighting in Iraq, the Department of Defense said Thursday.

Lance Cpl. Benjamin R. Carman, 20, of Jefferson, died Tuesday, due to hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, according to the DOD's web site.

Carman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Fighting this week in Fallujah, Ramadi and elsewhere has left 36 Americans and at least 459 Iraqis dead.

Carman, a 2002 graduate of Jefferson-Scranton High School, had been in Iraq less than two months. Carman's mother, Marie, told the school's principal that Carman was shot in what essentially amounted to "hand-to-hand combat," said Karen Younie, the school's principal.

Marie and Nelson Carman, of rural Jefferson, were notified of their son's death early Wednesday by Marine Corps officials from Omaha, Neb.

"He grew up loving the outdoors __ hunting, fishing, camping. All of his friends just loved the outdoors," Nelson Carman told WHO-TV on Wednesday.

"Probably the most important trait of Ben he had is just a quiet, strong spirit about him. I could honestly say that he really loved God.

"He loved his country, but most of all he loved God."

Ben Carman's body was to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware later Thursday, said Sgt. Major Eric Smith, of the Marines office in Omaha. Funeral arrangements were pending.

"The only thing I can tell you about the incident is what I told the family: he was killed by hostile fire during a battle," Smith said.

Two of Ben Carman's three siblings were home, but his younger sister _ a Jefferson-Scranton senior _ was studying in Mexico. Arrangements were being made to fly her home and provide counseling in the meantime, Younie said.

The Rev. Rod Block, pastor of First Assembly of God Church in Jefferson, said Ben Carman returned home and attended services with his family in February before he left for Iraq.

Carman, whose late grandfather was a prisoner of war during World War II, and his family were proud that day, said Block, who met with Carman's family Wednesday.

"He was nervous, knowing where he was going, but he was not hesitant to go," Block said. "He believed in what he was going to be doing and his family still does."

Carman was the 11th Iowan to be killed in Iraq.