A young, lifelong Alaskan was killed this week in Iraq during his second combat tour in the Middle East, his family's pastor said Tuesday.
Sgt. Matthew Charles Bohling, 22, of Eagle River served four years in the Army. He enlisted just after graduating from Chugiak High School, the Rev. Brad Rud said in an interview late Tuesday, speaking on the family's behalf.
Bohling was with the A Company of the 69th Armored Regiment in the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fallujah, Iraq. A local military chaplain visited his parents, Sandra and Charles Bohling, at their home Monday evening and told them of their son's death.
"They know now he was driving an armored personnel carrier, a Humvee, and the terrorists had set off a bomb as he was driving across it," Rud said. The vehicle carried other American and Iraqi soldiers. One other American was injured and one Iraqi soldier killed, Rud said.
Bohling is at least the third Alaskan to die in the Iraq war. The Department of Defense had not listed him among the dead as of late Tuesday.
Rud said Bohling and his family for years have been part of his congregation at Birchwood Community Church.
"You know, truly, we know that in spite of how devastated family members are right now, just the shock and the grief, we know that there is hope in the future and we know that we are going to see him again," Rud said. "But it's hard, you know? It's a hard thing for any parent to go through, the death of a child. It's just such a tough thing."
Bohling volunteered for his first tour of duty in the Persian Gulf, according to information his parents gave the Daily News in 2003.
"It was Matthew's dream to be in the military," his father wrote. "He volunteered to be a replacement in the war with Iraq and within two weeks was gone from his unit at Fort Benning, Ga., and on the ground in the Mideast. ... His family is very proud of him and of his willingness to serve his country, even in harm's way."
Bohling returned from that tour, though Rud didn't know the specifics. He said Bohling went back for a second stint in the Mideast and had been gone all year.
But he was home in Alaska just weeks ago on leave.
"Oh, yeah, he was fishing and having a great time," Rud said. "He only had a week and a half, 10 days, from Iraq and then right back to Iraq."
In 2003, Bohling's father wrote that his son "loves the typical Alaska lifestyle and is happy with gun or rod in hand. Fun is at its best for him if a four-wheeler is involved."
Rud confirmed Bohling's reputation as an enthusiastic outdoorsman.
"He just loved adventure, he loved being out hunting, fishing," Rud said. "He truly loved Alaska. I'm sure somewhere in his mind down the road, this was the place where he imagined ending up.
"But he also loved the military and truly saw it as an honor and privilege to serve."
Bohling's father is active in the Army National Guard. Bohling's brother Joshua enlisted in the Army six months ago and is training in Florida, Rud said.
"You know, Matthew was a true patriot," the pastor said. "He was committed to the cause of freeing the Iraqi people."
In addition to his parents and brother, Bohling leaves behind his younger sister and brother-in-law, Sarah and Josh Tudor.
Details of a service will be announced later, Rud said. "They are planning to have an open service for the community, and they would like to invite and encourage all veterans, all active-duty servicemen and truly all Alaskans who are interested in coming and paying their respects."
Daily News reporter Katie Pesznecker can be reached at kpesznecker@adn.com.
