 Associated Press -- SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Petty Officer 3rd Class John Daniel House was in Iraq when his son was born on Christmas Eve, but he was able to hear little James’ first cries of life over a satellite phone. A few days later, a video hookup allowed House to see him.
 But the 28-year-old Navy medic never got to meet his son face-to-face. He was killed, along with 30 Marines, in a helicopter crash Wednesday near the Iraqi town of Rutbah, about 220 miles from Baghdad.
House, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was scheduled to return to the United States next month. He was originally scheduled to return in July, his family said, but remained in Iraq because of a shortage of medics.
In a letter to his family he had written of bonding with his military comrades and of worrying constantly about them, said his mother, Susan House of Simi Valley.
“I know all of them ... even in the dark, by their mannerisms,†he wrote home. “I don’t know how I am going to deal with losing any of them. It is my job to take care of them and keep them safe.â€
House, who was on his second mission to Iraq, married his wife, Melanie, in September 2001.
The 1994 graduate of Moorpark High School had enlisted in the Navy in 1998 for the education benefits, his mother said Thursday. He planned to leave the military when his enlistment was up next year, his mother said, so he could spend more time with his wife and son. |
I would like to say thank you to you and all the Marines who were on that helicopter with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Doc!