By KRISTEN GELINEAU
Associated Press Writer

(AP)-A Harrisonburg man was among four Marines killed in recent combat in Iraq, the military said Monday.

Lance Cpl. Jourdan L. Grez, 24, was killed May 11 when his amphibious assault vehicle struck an explosive device during combat in Karabilah, Iraq, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.

Grez joined the military in the summer of 2003 to prove he was a worthy father to his young son, Colin, said Grez's brother, Armand Grez III, 28, of Arlington.

"He basically did it all for his son," he said. "He was just always a very purpose-driven person, and very honorable."

Grez left for Iraq in March and expected to be home by Halloween, said his brother Aric Grez, 26, of Washington, D.C. His spirits had been fairly high, though he was a bit frustrated over being separated from Colin, who will turn 2 this summer, Armand Grez III said.

"He was trying to make it so he'd be able to give (Colin) a nice future someday," said Grez's father, Armand Grez Jr., who now lives in New Jersey. "He absolutely adored his son."

Born in Long Branch, New Jersey and the youngest of three sons, Grez was a gifted artist and loved sports, Aric Grez said. The family moved to Richmond when Grez was in elementary school.

His father said Grez was a very caring person who wanted to help others. After a car wreck killed a close friend in high school, Grez became a licensed emergency medical technician.

"He spent weekends working on ambulances around Richmond," Armand Grez Jr. said.

Grez enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg in 1999 as a finance major with a minor in international business, university spokesman Andy Perrine said.

Kyle Dexter, 24, was one in a close-knit group of Grez's friends. He said Grez had plans to finish school when he returned, but probably wouldn't fulfill his dreams of being an international businessman because he wouldn't want to be away from his son.

"I'll be sure to see that kid down the road and let him know what a great guy his dad was," said Dexter, who now lives in Durham, N.C.

He describes his friend as having "one of the most genuine laughs you will ever hear," and said Grez believed in the mission in Iraq.

"He did believe they were doing a good thing over there," Dexter said. "He believed in the cause."

Grez was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Roanoke.

The other three Marines killed were identified by the Department of Defense as Pfc. Christopher R. Dixon, 18, of Columbus, Ohio; Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Erdy, 21, of Williamsburg, Ohio; and Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Grant, 23, of Santa Fe, N.M.

Their units were attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Lejeune.

"He was proud to be a Marine," Armand Grez Jr. said.

Grez's girlfriend, Lael Lovell, of Harrisonburg, said Grez was dedicated not only be being a good father to their son, but a good Christian. She told the Daily News Record in Harrisonburg that his death was "sacrificial."

"Jourdan died with honor and pride," Lovell said.

Plans for a memorial service have not been finalized, but Grez's father said he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.