The Press-Enterprise -- A 20-year-old woman with ties to the Inland region died Friday from an injury she suffered while serving in Iraq.
Army Spec. Mary J. Jaenichen, who lived in Temecula before entering active duty, died in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a noncombat-related injury, a Department of Defense news release said.
She was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Stewart, Ga.
Jaenichen graduated from El Camino High School in Oceanside in 2006, then moved with her mother Julieta Jaenichen to Temecula, according to her father, Alfred Jaenichen.
She entered the Army Reserve three years ago, before going on active duty about a year ago.
She had served in Iraq for nearly a year, and was due to come home within a few months, said Alfred Jaenichen, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant who was based at Camp Pendleton.
Jaenichen's wife, Mini Jaenichen, said her stepdaughter always thought of others before herself. She said Mary surprised them with a visit during a leave last March.
"I'm very grateful we got to see her," said Mini Jaenichen, of Santa Ana.