By: Jane Blakely

Staff Writer

He was born and raised in Pineville, Louisiana. A shining star here in this town, and everyone’s friend he was a beloved son and loving brother, all-state football player, class president and volunteer firefighter, he was truly one of a kind. Today, this small town mourns the death of one of its own, Sgt. Paul A. Crough Jr. Paul Jr., known to the locals as "Junior" dreamed of following in his fathers and grandfathers footsteps, so when the time came on his 18th birthday, he joined the armed forces. Torn between which branch to choose, his father being a Marine and grandfather being Navy, Junior chose the Army Rangers. After six years of service Junior left for Iraq for a two-year tour that would complete his service. Leaving everything he’s ever known and those he loved, he set off to make a difference. On February 28, 2005 Junior’s convoy was attacked. There were many wounded, most killed, and some missing. Among the four missing soldiers was Junior. Early June arrives, still no word of Junior. He and the others are still Missing in Action. Then one day each of the four missing soldiers start turning up one by one. It is on June 25, 2005 that Junior is found. Finally Junior is coming home, but not in the way that anyone could imagine. Instead of jumping off the plane and running into the arms of those he loves, he will be carried off in a silk lined casket draped with the flag of the country he loved so dearly. He comes home a hero to this town and to those who knew him. His death comes just 10 short months following his father’s tragic death in a car accident last August. He is survived by his mother, Diane, his brother Jeff, and his fiancée, Heather Kilpatrick. This fallen soldier will be remembered in our hearts forever. He will not only be remembered as the boy next door, or the town hunk, but as the man he always wanted to be, a hero of the U.S.A.