SGT Michael M. Merila

Army SGT Michael M. Merila, 23, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.;

assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron,

14th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.;

died Feb. 16 when his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device in Talifar, Iraq.

He was posthumously promoted to SGT.

Died:  February 16, 2004