Fort Lewis soldier from N.J. killed in Iraq

LODI, N.J. — A 23-year-old soldier from New Jersey who was based at Fort Lewis was killed in Iraq after an improvised explosive device struck the vehicle on which he was moving, military officials said.

Staff Sgt. Vincenzo Romeo, 23, of Lodi, died Saturday in the Diyala Province of Iraq.

He was an assigned to the Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, also known as the Stryker Brigade Combat Team, in Fort Lewis.

"Vincenzo was a kind and courageous person who brought joy and laughter to all around him," his family said in a statement released by the Fort Monmouth Public Affairs Office. "As a family of Italian immigrants, we are especially proud of our hero Vincenzo for his patriotism, bravery and service to the United States."

Romeo, who was born in Calabria, Italy, came to the United States with his family in 1986. He graduated from Lodi High School in 2001 and attended Kean University for one year before he enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 2003.

Romeo, who received numerous awards, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, was on his second deployment to Iraq. He is survived by his parents, Saverina and Antonio, two brothers, Bruno and Carmelo, and his fiancee, Amanda Anderson.