Jacob H. Neal dies of injuries from I.E.D.

A 23-year-old Marine who has family in East Texas died this past Friday while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger from the U.S. Department of Defense identified the soldier as Cpl. Jacob H. Neal of San Marcos.

Family members who live in Kennard said they were awaiting the arrival of Neal's body sometime this weekend so that funeral arrangements could be made.

"I don't blame anyone," said Eunice Zalesky, Neal's grandmother, in a telephone interview Wednesday. "He volunteered for his country ... he was fighting to save his country,"

Neal was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Grand Rapids, Mich. He had been the recipient of a National Defense Service Medal.

Burial arrangements had not yet been made, according to Zalesky.

From the Lufkin News