Woodlawn soldier dies in Iraq

Marine comes under small-arms fire during security detail

By MARY KAYE DAVIS

mary.kaye@register-news.com

WOODLAWN — Although Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan Kyle Price’s daughter will never know her daddy, there is one thing she will know — he died doing what he believed in.

Woodlawn resident Kyle Price, 19, son of Cheryl Hunsell and stepson of John Hunsell, died Friday afternoon after coming under enemy fire while on guard duty near Ramadi, Iraq.

Price, whose daughter Madison is expected to be born in March, is the first Jefferson County soldier to die in the war in Iraq.

He was set to return home in three to four weeks after completing his tour of duty, said family friend Ron Riley, acting as spokesperson for the family.

A 2004 graduate of Woodlawn High School, Price was assigned to a security detail Friday in which he and other soldiers were to protect Marine engineers, Riley said.

“He was doing what he was supposed to do,” Riley said. “He was put between the Marine engineers and the enemy, and when they were being attacked, he was forward of all of his men. He died protecting others.”

Riley said all the specifics have not yet been released, but Price is the only casualty to be announced so far from the attack.

Nearing the end of his tour of duty, Price was to return to American soil in North Carolina, where he was to be met by his expectant fiancee, Brea Tate, daughter of Robby and Jane Tate, and other loved ones.

“He was so excited about being a dad, and he would have been an exceptional one,” Riley said.

Price had always wanted to be in the military, according to friends of the family. He joined the local Young Marines organization when he was a sophomore in high school.

He joined the Marines as soon as he was of age, entering boot camp in the spring of 2004. He was dispatched to Iraq last August.

Woodlawn Mayor Beth Hassler described Price as a person “everybody loved.”

“Kyle got along with everybody, and he made friends so very easily,” she said. “I have never, ever heard anyone have anything bad to say about him.

“He was so proud to be a Marine. He was proud of what he was doing. He truly believed, and rightly so, that he was serving God and country.”

Price was a highly involved member of Woodlawn Christian Church and attained the rank of Eagle Scout, Riley said.

“He had such a love of country and was truly a fine young man,” said Riley, who had known Price since he was a youngster. Riley coached him in Little League and was his scoutmaster.

David Keen, an Army National Guard retiree who is active in veteran affairs, said he was saddened to hear of Price’s death, calling him “a true American hero.”

“Kyle gave his life, fighting to not only ensure that the Iraqis have freedom, but that we, too, can continue to enjoy our freedoms,” Keen said. “We all owe Kyle a gratitude of thanks and respect, and we as a community need to ensure that his family, fiancee and daughter-to-be know that we are forever grateful to this young American hero and we must never forget his great sacrifice.”

Price’s death “brings the reality of war closer to home,” Keen said.

“We have many more men and women from our community serving in harm’s way, and we as a community must continue to pray that all our warriors currently serving in Iraq return home to us safely and that Lance Cpl. Kyle Price’s sacrifice will always be remembered,” Keen said.

Price’s fiancee is the daughter of Jane Tate, executive assistant to Mt. Vernon’s mayor and city manager.

Mayor Milt Sees said Price paid the ultimate price for freedom.

“This time the cost of the war in Iraq has hit very close to home,” Sees said. “Every day in this far-off place, our young men and women are placed in harm’s way; some like Kyle will pay the ultimate price for our freedoms.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of this loss, but this young man displayed the type of courage that demands we honor his sacrifice. Our area has lost a fine young man; I pray for God's blessing on him and his family.”

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