FLOWER MOUND, Texas - (KRT) - As a quiet youngster, Jacob Lugo was certain he wanted to become a U.S. Marine. He had barely graduated from Marcus High School here in 2001 when he enlisted, eager to go to Iraq.

"He left for boot camp in October 2001, excited about making a difference for his country. He was fearless the way an 18-year-old kid is fearless," said his father, Raul Lugo of Flower Mound.

Lance Cpl. Jacob R. Lugo, 21, was scheduled to end his second tour of duty Sept. 20. He was killed Tuesday in the restive Anbar province, the Defense Department reported Thursday. He returned to Iraq with his unit this year after a previous tour in 2003, his family said.

Family members said military officials told them Jacob Lugo was killed in an explosion. Marine officials in California provided no details, saying that it might help insurgents in future attacks.

Jacob Lugo was first deployed to Iraq in February 2003. When he came home to visit last fall, "he still didn't even look like he was scared," his father said. "He was normal, but I knew he had changed."

Lugo was more mature, he said. His son also was ready to become a husband. He proposed to Lori Shelton, 21, whom he had known since elementary school, said her stepfather, Paul Roberts of Flower Mound.

The two had played in band together, he on trumpet, she on clarinet. Roberts said his stepdaughter had a crush on Jacob Lugo for years before they got together.

Having decided that commitment was more important than an elaborate wedding, the couple went to Dallas to be married by a justice of the peace during Lugo's Christmas visit, Roberts said.

The couple's relatives were surprised but delighted.

"Jacob was probably the most respectful person I've met in my life, and he was the light in my daughter's eye," Roberts said.

"When he'd visit, I'd talk about going fishing, having a couple beers, and she'd say, `No. He's going to stay with me.' " he said. "So there was some banter."

After learning of Lugo's death, Lori's mother, Debra Roberts, drove to Oklahoma to comfort her daughter, a senior at the University of Oklahoma.

Lugo's mother, Diane Salazar of Irving, said she was home alone Tuesday night when she heard a knock on the door, opened it and saw three Marines.

"What else would they have been there for? They said, `Your son ... ` I just remember shaking my head and thinking that he was supposed to be packing his things to come back," she said. "I was very proud of him. We're Christian people, but it hurts to lose him."

Lugo was a team leader in the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., Marine officials said. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, given to Marines who have been in what is called a firefight, or direct combat. He and his unit received a Presidential Unit Citation for their role in the war.

Kevin Rogers, Marcus High School principal, said Lugo was "a good young man." A few band members played taps over the school's public address system Thursday morning, and students and staff observed a moment of silence, he said.

Family members said military officials have told them the body probably will be returned to the United States this weekend.

"I'm angry right now, because I'm deprived and selfish," Roberts said. "I wanted Jacob to be with my daughter."

Funeral arrangements are pending. Other survivors include his brother, Aaron Lugo of Flower Mound; his sisters, Denise Salazar of Irving, Jennifer Lugo of Flower Mound and Virginia Blanco of Laredo; grandparents, Fred and Ruth Estrada of Duncanville and Margarita Lugo of Laredo.