Staff Sgt. Garth Sizemore, 31, of Mount Sterling, died Tuesday after he was shot by enemy forces during patrol in Baghdad, the Department of Defense said.

Sizemore was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Schweinfurt, Germany.

Sizemore attended Montgomery County High School and Morehead State University before enlisting seven years ago, his father, Glenn Sizemore, of Mount Sterling said in an interview Thursday.

Glenn Sizemore said there were many factors behind his son's decision to join the military: "Too many reasons go into a decision like that."

"He was always mature, always thinking for himself," he said of his only child.

Sizemore said he hadn't seen his son, who married less than a year ago, since he was stationed in Germany three years ago.

Growing up, Garth Sizemore was passionate about the rugged outdoors, and enjoyed camping, kayaking and repelling. He loved rock music and learned to play the guitar.

Glenn Sizemore said that more than anything, he admired his son's sense of independence.

"He made his own decisions and lived with his own decisions," he said.

Funeral services had not been scheduled.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher directed state flags to remain at half-staff in Sizemore's honor. Flags have been half-staff since the death of social service worker Boni Frederick, of Morganfield, who was killed on the job Oct. 16.