Fallen Soldier: Alex French IV

Staff Sgt. Alex French IV, 31, from Milledgeville, Ga was a member of Georgia's National Guard 48th Brigade, was killed September 30, 2009, in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border when his unit was attacked by a suicide bomber.

SSG French had a thing for the spinach-gobbling Popeye as a child and followed his own dream of being a sailor, joining the Navy right out of high school in 1996, even though he did not like spinach.

After four years in the Navy, SSG French realized he didn't like being on the water, either. He came home and went to work as a prison guard and later as a local sheriff's officer. But his family said he missed the military, so he joined the National Guard. “It was in him to do that,” said his sister Latoya French. “When you’d see him, you’d think he belonged in uniform.”

SSG French was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals among others. He is remembered as a compassionate, funny, and charismatic guy, one who put others ahead of himself.

Survivors include his wife, Shanoca, whom he met in 8th grade; Twins Alex and Alexis and daughter Madison.