The Department of Defense confirmed Thursday that two soldiers from central Ohio were killed inIraq earlier this week when an explosive hit their armored vehicle.
Army Staff Sgt. Shannon M. Smith, 31 of Marion, and Army Pfc. Zachary T. Myers, 21 of Delaware,died Tuesday in Baji, Iraq, the Pentagon said.
A third U.S. soldier was also killed in the attack.
The soldiers were assigned to the 545th Military Police Company, Arctic Military PoliceBattalion, U.S. Army, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
Myers and Shannon grew up not far from one another, but their families said the men did not meetuntil both began their service in Iraq, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Tonya Latto, Myers' mother, said she was talking to her son over the phone when he told herabout meeting Smith.
"He called me one day and he said, 'Mom, this is just the most amazing thing. Here I amall the way over in Iraq, and guess who my supervisor is?'" Latto said.
Latto called her son a straight "F" student who straightened himself out by joining the Army.Smith helped shape him, from a wayward young man into the soldier he became.
"He just really enjoyed being with him and tried to learn everything he could from him," Lattosaid.
Smith's widow, Cassie, said her husband found great joy in mentoring young soldiers, likeMyers. She said he was on his second tour in Iraq, with plans for a long career in themilitary.
"This is what he was meant to do," Carrie said. "He wouldn't have it any other way."
Smith's parents said they encouraged him to enlist; a decision they said they would never takeback.
"He was doing something to help this country," said Smith's mother, Debbie. "He wasn't outgoofing around. He didn't die for nothing."
The soldiers' bodies arrived back in the United States on Thursday. Funeral arrangements were pending.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for more information.
