That day will never come.

Zilinski, 23, of Howell in Monmouth County, was one of four American soldiers killed by a roadside bomb during combat operations Saturday as they traveled in a Humvee near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad, the Department of Defense said yesterday.

The attack was the same one that claimed the life of Staff Sgt. Edward Karolasz of Kearny. They were the 56th and 57th soldiers either from New Jersey or with close ties to the state to be killed in Iraq.

"Dennis stood behind the nation's mission 100 percent, ready to serve and protect the freedoms so many citizens cherish," his parents, Dennis and Marion Zilinski, said in a statement released through the public affairs office at Fort Monmouth. "He lived the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless sacrifice, honor, integrity, personal courage."

Zilinski, a 2004 graduate of West Point, was a first lieutenant with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division. He was an infantry officer, though he had completed both airborne and Ranger schools. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., before he deployed to Iraq in September, his friends said.

He grew up in Middletown and was a star swimmer for the Red Bank YMCA and Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. He swam all four years at West Point, serving as team captain his senior year, his family said. That same year, he earned the Class of 1923 Memorial Award, which is given annually to the outstanding member of the men's team.

"His determination was just amazing," said Matt Titko of Tinton Falls, a friend and swimming teammate of Zilinski's since the two were boys.

"Once he set his mind to something, he was going to do it," Titko said. "When he first told us all in high school that he was going to get into West Point, we told him, 'Okay, Dennis, whatever you say.' But then he went out and proved us all wrong. There wasn't anybody who worked harder than him."

Zilinski's family moved last year from Middletown to a new home in a Howell subdivision. Yesterday, a police officer sat in a cruiser outside the house and told arriving members of the news media that the family was taking visits only from friends and relatives.

 "Dennis was thoroughly devoted to his work and many activities and interests, including church activities, family and friends, relatives and his overall desire to lead and be a hero to his men," the family said in the statement it issued through the public affairs office.

"Always outgoing and dedicated to be the best at whatever he did or had to accomplish, Dennis was a high achiever who would get the job done and do it 100 percent every time," the statement continued. "His wonderful smile, glowing and radiant, always gave a lasting impression in your mind he was a cheerful person. His loving attitude and affection was like no other."

Zilinski is survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, a grandmother and a large extended family.

His fiancée, whose family lives in Florida, remains on duty in Iraq, the family's statement said.

News of Zilinski's death was posted on the Web site of West Point's Class of 2004 a few hours before the Department of Defense had confirmed it. His classmates began remembering him on a message board yesterday afternoon.

"I am honored to have known him and will always remember him fondly," one classmate wrote.

"Always cool-headed, extremely kind and patient with everyone," wrote another.