Andrew. R. Pearson

Friday, May 02 2008 @ 04:46 PM EDT

KULR-TV -- BILLINGS — A 32-year-old Army captain from Billings, who lived in Great Falls for several years, was killed after his vehicle was hit by an explosion in Iraq, officials said.

The Department of Defense said Capt. Andrew R. Pearson, with the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, was one of two soldiers killed in Wednesday's blast from an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

He is the 27th military service member from Montana to die so far in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the office of Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Also killed in the Baghdad explosion was 21-year-old Spc. Ronald J. Tucker of Fountain, Colo.

Pearson was born in Wyoming, and, in 1975, moved to Great Falls as an infant with his family, said his father, Ron Pearson. He attended Valley View Elementary, a local middle school and was a freshman at C.M. Russell High School before the family moved to Billings in 1991.

Pearson's maternal grandparents, Julian and Yvonne Kobasziar, and uncles Jack Kobasziar and Bob Wigdorski live in Great Falls.

Pearson played football growing up and "loved to hunt and fish like most Montanans," his father said.

Pearson enlisted in the Army and later earned an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy.

"We were really happy for Andrew when he made it to West Point," Ron Pearson said. "He was pretty proud of what he was doing in the Army and worked really hard."

For the 2001 academy yearbook, Pearson chose a quote from President John F. Kennedy to accompany his photo: "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it."

Married and with four children, Pearson began his third 15-month tour abroad in March, having served an earlier tour in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He was a company commander with an infantry regiment whose mission was to train and support Iraqi forces.

Pearson had been with the 4th Infantry since February 2007. His service awards included a Bronze Star.

"He believed in what he was doing and gave his all for America," Ron Pearson said. "He was very resolute in what he was doing."

Memorial services are planned at the War Memorial in Billings on May 10 and at Fort Hood on May 15.

Pearson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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