Family – Soldier From Madelia Killed In Iraq

MADELIA (AP) - Relatives say a 20-year-old Army medic from Madelia has died while serving in Iraq.

Family members say Emilio Campo, Jr., was killed Monday during combat. The Department of Defense did not immediately release details.

Campo's cousin, Marcella Rivera, says Campo wanted to pursue a career in medicine and thought the U.S. Army would be a means to that end. Rivera says family members have left for Baltimore, where Campo's body was to be returned.

Campo graduated from Madelia High School in 2009. Principal Allan Beyer tells the Free Press that Campo participated in track, football, basketball and choir. Beyer says Campo would visit his teachers and schoolmates when he was on leave.

An Associated Press count shows at least 4,454 military members have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)