KLTV -- In honor of Staff Sergeant Clay Allen Craig, the red, white, and blue, American flag flows half-staff outside of his home. His famiyl says he was a young hero-- who gave his all.

Clay joined the U.S. Army his junior year in high school and then after graduation, a week latter he went off to boot camp. He loved to serve. I was very proud of him and I always told him that. To be so young and make Staff Sergeant before he was 22, I think that's a really big accomplishment," said Deborah Redfearn, Craig's mother.

Craig's life is an accomplishment and legacy that his sister, Michelle Godwin, says he leaves behind for his wife Cynthia, and 14-month-old daughter Isabel.

We'll remind Isabel every time we see her, what type of person her Daddy was and that he was all for her," said Godwin.

For Deborah, being a soldier Mom hasn't been easy and what she'll miss the most is...

"To be able and hug him and just to hear his voice. As long as I could hear his voice I was fine."

"Clay gave the ultimate sacrifice; he gave his life," said Godwin. A life of sacrifice that was a couple of days short of a birthday.

"Clay would have turned 23 May 19th. So, his first birthday and our first holiday's without him will be hard but with strength, we'll make it," said Godwin.

Complete funeral arrangements for Craig are pending.

His family does tell KLTV his funeral will be held in Dallas.