Stryker Brigade soldier killed by mortar rounds

By The Associated Press

Army Maj. Horst Moore had 2-year-old daughter.

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WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has identified a Stryker Brigade soldier killed in Iraq this past week.

Maj. Horst G. Moore, 38, of Los Fresnos, Texas, died Tuesday in Mosul when enemy mortar rounds exploded at his living area, the Defense Department said Saturday.

He was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division based at Fort Lewis, south of Tacoma.

Raquel Vallejo-Moore described her husband, a German-born Army officer, as a career soldier whose 16 years of service started right after high school and was interrupted only while he pursued a college degree.

"He was one of those patriotic individuals who loved serving his country," she told The Associated Press after learning of her husband's death.

Moore, known to his friends as Gary, grew up in Oklahoma and met his future wife while at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.

When he was home, he loved to spend time with Vallejo-Moore and their 2-year-old daughter, she said. He also loved to work on his old trucks.

Moore left for Iraq in September. Vallejo-Moore said they last spoke the night of Nov. 7, when he called to wish her a happy 34th birthday.

"It was 3 a.m. over there, but he stayed up all that night to make sure he could call at a decent time," she said. "He was a dedicated father and husband, a positive individual."

Fort Lewis spokesman J.C. Matthews said no additional information about Moore was available yesterday.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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