Born Jan. 2, 1986, Nathaniel DeTample grew up in the tight-knit and patriotic community of Morrisville. Described by friends as "athletic, fearless and gutsy," he was committed to his family's Christian faith and American traditionalism. His favorite song was "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly" by country singer Aaron Tippen.

An Eagle Scout and avid wrestler and rock-climber, Nate planned a life of professional service. According to Dan Vagnozzi, his best friend from high school, "He wanted to be a police officer like his father," detective Glenn DeTample of the Lower Makefield Township police force. "I know some of his dreams included serving others, military or otherwise."

Before graduating from Pennsbury High School East in 2004, Nate enlisted with the Army National Guard. It seems he was predestined for battle, for he was assigned to one of the oldest—and most hardened—military units in the United States.

Despite his young age and fresh face—which earned him the nickname "Baby Face"—Nate fit right in. In 2004, he enrolled in Shippensburg University as a criminal justice major. He had just completed his first semester when he received his deployment order. According to acquaintances, he was excited by the mission's prospects.

Early on, Nate phoned his parents to tell them that a "big guy" in the 111th had taken to watching over the young soldier. According to Gennaro Pellegrini Sr., that "big guy" was his son, Jerry Jr. ["Was It Worth It," Christopher Schwartz, Oct. 27, 2005].

"Jerry said to me, 'There's a new kid here, all wet behind the ears,'" recounts the elder Pellegrini. "'You tell [his father] I'm going to take care of this kid. I'm going to stay right by his side and I'm going to take care of him.'" Jerry stayed true to his vow, but he and Nate died together when their Hummer struck an improvised explosive device (IED) that Iraqi insurgents had buried in a culvert and remotely detonated.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he would consider his own death worthwhile," says Vagnozzi, who is a cadet corporal serving his second year at West Point. Nate "saw it as a call to duty and was fully aware of the risks involved. … Most people do not see helping people internationally attain freedom at our expense as worth it. Nate did. [In his last letter to me] he said, 'Freedom isn't free.'"