Cleveland Plain Dealer -- Seven Hills - A Seven Hills couple looking forward to their son's arrival home from Iraq are instead mourning his death in combat.

Master Sgt. Joseph J. Andres Jr., a 1989 graduate of Padua Franciscan High School, died Saturday in Baqouba when his unit came under small-arms fire, the Army reported.

Family members and friends had planned a New Year's Eve celebration in the Warehouse District and a trip to the Browns game Sunday for Andres, 34. He had been expected home this week after three months' deployment with the Army Special Operations Command. He was likely to return to Iraq, his family said.

"My mom talked to him Thursday," Andres' sister, Sharon, said Monday night at the family home. "She told him she was praying for him."

Andres' injuries came from "the attack detonated near his Humvee," according to an Army news release. He was the only casualty, said Army spokesman Maj. Jim Gregory.

Six small American flags stood along the Andres' front porch Monday, along with a manger scene, a snowman and a sign wishing visitors a Merry Christmas. A larger American flag hung from a porch column.

Flags and red bows also hung on many of the colonials and ranches along John Glenn Drive in Seven Hills, in honor of Andres.

The family knew that Andres was in harm's way and that he wanted to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery if the worst happened.

News of his death came with a knock on the door at 7:35 Christmas Eve morning.

"It's devastation," Sharon Andres said of the family's reaction.

Sixteen years ago, when Andres attended Padua, a career in the military seemed remote.

He was an "adventurous" sort but responsible, said his father, Joseph Sr. His son, who was on the honor roll four years, played drums in the symphony orchestra, ran track and wrestled, earning a citizenship award in the latter sport.

He also enjoyed riding a dirt bike, skateboarding and snowboarding.

Andres headed off to the University of Cincinnati to study materials engineering. But two years of that was enough.

"He decided he didn't want to spend his life behind a desk," his father said.

Serving his country had a greater appeal. "He really believed in what he did," said his sister Debbi Serraglio of Brecksville.

Andres started as a medic in the Army Reserve in 1992 before moving on to the regular Army in 1993. He worked as a medic and medical noncommissioned officer at Fort Bliss, Texas, and in Germany.

He qualified for the special forces and became a communications officer. Since 2003, he had been assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the Army Special Operations Command.

Andres received a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.

The Andres family has long lived in Seven Hills, where Joseph Sr. serves on the planning commission, and belongs to St. Columbkille Catholic Church.

Best friend Chuck Carlin of Stow said Andres was e-mailing him daily. They talked by phone Wednesday about holiday socializing.

"I was destroyed at the news," Carlin said.