Fort Lewis medic who died in Iraq honored by hometown

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Friends, family and state leaders gathered Friday to remember Graham McMahon — an Army corporal with the Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade and a medic who died in Iraq.

McMahon was remembered as a son, a brother and a friend by those who knew him well and scores of people he'd made smile over the years.

State officials also honored the soldier. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said the state had lost a rising star, "a young hero who walked into harm's way."

U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley flew from Washington, D.C., to share condolences.

McMahon, 22, graduated from Corvallis High School in 2003 and attended Oregon State University before enlisting in the Army in 2004.

He deployed to Iraq in April with the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, Stryker Brigade out of Fort Lewis. His fellow soldiers called him "Doc."

After returning to base from a patrol Sept. 19, McMahon suddenly became ill and died en route to the hospital. The cause has yet to be determined.