In Memoriam

Area Marine killed in Iraq

A Downers Grove Marine became the fifth U.S. service person from Illinois killed in Iraq this month.

According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert, 24, died Wednesday while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Gilbert, on his second tour of Iraq, was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Andrew Music, Gilbert's unit-mate and best friend of four years, described Gilbert in an e-mail sent Thursday night from Iraq as "what every junior Marine should emulate."

"The marines looked up to him not only as a leader but as a friend and a brother," Music wrote. "Tommy would go out of his way, no matter what the cost was, to help one of his fellow Marines."

Gilbert, a 2000 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, and Music deployed to Africa together in 2003 and both later volunteered to go to Iraq. Music said Gilbert earned his sergeant rank earlier this month.

"He would lose hours upon hours of sleep staying up planning and preparing for missions," Music said. "He never showed weakness. He died doing what he loved, he died answering the call of marines in need."

When at home, Music said, Gilbert took care of his two sisters and loved his family. He was also a Cubs fan and enjoyed riding his Harley Sportster.

"I would like to think of the perfect day, a ride on the Harleys up to Wrigley Field to catch our Cubbies playing, ride back home to have one of Tom's famous cookouts with family and friends," he wrote. "Those are the times that will forever be embedded in my heart."

Calls to Gilbert's Downers Grove home were not returned Thursday but his family issued a written statement.

"Tom had three great loves in his life - his family, the outdoors and the Marines," the family said in a statement. "Tom was a true American hero. He died in the highest calling on Earth - defending our freedom."