Area soldier, Marine killed in Iraq

An Army soldier and a Marine from Washington have died in Iraq, the Department of Defense announced.

The deaths of Army Spc. Vincent Kamka, 23, of Everett, and Marine Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris, 22, of Tacoma, were announced this week. Kamka died Thursday in Bayji; Burris died Monday during combat operations in Al Anbar province.

Kamka's death is under investigation.

Families for both men declined to comment but provided statements and basic information.

Burris, a Marine assigned to the I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendelton, Calif., was killed on patrol near Al Qaim, when the vehicle he was driving was hit by a bomb, according to his family. Two Marines in the vehicle were injured and Burris helped care for them and get them out of the vehicle.

After they were safe he returned to the vehicle and stepped on a second hidden bomb, dying instantly, the statement said.

He was a resident of Liberty, Texas, but most recently lived in Tacoma, where he was involved in a Christian ministry, according to his family.

Burris is survived by his parents, Brent and Karla Burris, four brothers and two sisters.

Kamka, the youngest of 11 siblings, grew up in Idaho and attended Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. After graduating, he moved to Everett and joined the Army in 2004. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

Kamka was on his first deployment to Iraq.

In a statement, Kamka's family said he was quiet, respectful and honorable.

"He served this country with dedication obvious to all now," the statement read. "We honor all others who stand up next to him; this is the price of freedom."

Brian Alexander: 206-464-2026 or balexander@seattletimes.com