Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ryan Kovacicek

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Ryan Joseph Kovacicek, 22, of Washington, Pennsylvania, served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based in Moundsville, West Virginia. He was killed July 10, 2005, by a mortar attack in Hit, Iraq.

LCpl Kovacicek graduated from Bishop Canevin High School in 2001, where he lettered in hockey. He continued playing hockey while studying criminology at Indiana University. LCpl Kovacicek enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2003 despite his Vietnam veteran father warning him about the realities of military service. Before deploying, he pointed to a large American flag and told his girlfriend, “This is why I joined the Marines.”

LCpl Kovacicek was remembered as an easygoing young man with a wonderful sense of humor who could make nearly anyone smile. His best friend said of him, “He was a brother to everyone, especially to those that didn’t have one,” adding that Ryan was always available whenever someone needed him.

LCpl Kovacicek was survived by his parents, Joseph Jr. and Judith, sister, Renae Salvitti, brother-in-law, Ron and godson Rocco Salvitti.