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Sierra Vista soldier killed in Iraq

Feb-25-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

[Link to Full Article] A memorial service will be held today at Fort Lewis.
BILL HESS; Wick News Service

A 1998 Buena High School graduate was killed in action when an improvised explosive device was set off near a convoy he was riding in northern Iraq Monday.

According to the Associated Press, Spc. Michael M. Merila, 23, was returning to his base camp at Tall Afar from the Mosul Airport after he and others escorted soldiers of his unit who were departing on leave.

A funeral service was held Monday, at the Main Post Chapel.

A member of the Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment from Fort Lewis, Wash., Merila, who was known as Matt to his friends, was the first member of the Army's Stryker Brigade to be killed in action in Iraq, press reports stated.

After the roadside explosion went off, Merila was being flown to an Army combat support hospital when he died.

"Matt was a good solid student. One of our better students," said Buena High School Assistant Principal Elaine Carlson.

While in high school, he was a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America. Merila also helped build a trophy case for the school.

A woman who knew Merila said she was a year behind him in high school and hung out with him and his sister. Asking not to be identified, she said he was an "intelligent, charismatic fun-loving person."

Merila's mother and sister now live in Tucson and he visited them in October before going to Iraq in November, she said.

When she heard her friend had been killed she said it was a shock.

Merila was assigned to the Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.


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