Private Michael Deutsch, 21, of Dubuque, Iowa was assigned to 1st Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment, Armstrong Barracks, Germany. He died July 31, 2003, when his armored personnel carrier was hit by an explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.

PV2 Deutsch graduated from Dubuque High School in 2000 and entered the Army in 2002. He completed basic training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., and was stationed at Armstrong Barracks in Budingen, Germany, before being sent to Iraq.

His business teacher at Dubuque Senior High, Pat Murphy, said Deutsch was a member of the German Club. “He was a good kid to have in class. He had a good personality,” Murphy said. “He seemed to get along with everyone. You hear about all of the families who lose loved ones. This one brings it home; the reality hits home for us.”

PV2 Deutsch was survived by his parents, Wayne, Sr. and Ileane, two brothers, Wayne Jr. and Erich and a sister, Stephanie Greenwood.