Bethesda, Md. -- Spc. Kevin S. Mowl, 22, of Pittsford, N.Y., died Feb. 25 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered in Baghdad, Iraq on Aug. 2, 2007, when the vehicle he was in encountered an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis Wash.

Spc. Kevin Mowl, a native of Pittsford, died Monday morning with his family at his side.

His family said that after seven months of intense operations, Kevin was too weak to fight a sudden infection. Sunday night, a feeding tube broke inside his body, puncturing his intestine. He passed away about 10 a.m. Monday.

His sister Carlene said it was important for people to know, "What happened with the feeding tube was not a mistake on someone's part; it just happened."

Mowl, who earned a Purple Heart, suffered brain injury as well as numerous fractures.

A Web site maintained by his family gave daily updates on Kevin's progress. On Monday that Web site served as a place where family, friends, and others could share their grief.

Just last month, his family was hopeful. Doctors transported Kevin from the naval hospital in Maryland to a rehab facility in Virginia. However, a few weeks ago there were more problems and he went back to the hospital.

Neighbors showed support by tying yellow ribbons on the trees around the Mowl home. There was similar support at the Rochester’s school for the deaf where Kevin's father, Harold, is the superintendent.

Students there are close to the Mowl family, particularly Kevin, who visited the school and spoke about his service before he was injured. Counselors were present at the school Monday.  More will be there Tuesday.

Mowl attended Pittsford schools up to the 11th grade and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy near Philadelphia. He had been with the Army as an infantryman for almost three years and served in Iraq from June 2006 to August 2007.

Kevin S. Mowl website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinmowl