Joseph Basil Maglione

Infantry: Bridge Company B, 6th

Engineer Support Battalion, 4th

Force Service Support Group

Died: April 1, 2003, Age: 22

Joseph Maglione was always an engineer. He and childhood friend Nick Belottie harnessed that passion to design and build forts and treehouses.

Upon graduating from high school—as an honor-roll student who was on the track, wrestling and football teams, he missed just one day during his tenure at Council Rock and North Penn high schools—Maglione enrolled at Drexel University. He chose the school because he considered its engineering program to be the best around.

Even when he was busy with school, he dedicated most Sundays to his mother, Rose Corr. They would go to Doylestown's Our Lady of Czestochowa church together, have pierogies and babka for lunch and hike around Peace Valley Lake.

Prior to graduating, however, Maglione enlisted in the Marines. When he was sent overseas, he left his basement littered with plans for architectural projects including many model bridges. That was fitting, considering his placement in Marine Reserve Bridge Bravo Company.

On April 1, 2003, he was killed by non-combat weapon discharge at Camp Coyote, Kuwait. Two months later, he was posthumously awarded an engineering degree.

Nick, a fellow serviceman, felt that the "loss of life wasn't worth it, but the service was."

For her part, Rose said she feels that the Iraqi people must work to build a solid structure on the foundation American soldiers have provided. She prays that this will happen as quickly as possible.

"I would like to see the Iraqi government, combined with U.S. officials, work together to outline specific milestones and dates to indicate if we are close to achieving the objective of an independent Iraqi government," she says. "I would like to see this plan published and include updates on the status. This will provide the parents of the soldiers measurable indicators for the return of their loved ones."

As for her personal loss, Rose says her son "probably had the best heart of anyone I knew. My son will always be my hero."