Nicholas A. Miller killed during combat operations

The day before he died, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Miller sent an e-mail expressing love and appreciation to his family.

His uncle, Ron Pincumbe, said Saturday that the outdoorsy young man could not be dissuaded by family members from signing up for the Marines.

"He said he realized how important family is," said Pincumbe of Greenville, through tears. "It's important for people to remember our kids are dying over there."

Miller, 20, who was serving with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion of the 24th Marines out of Saginaw, was killed Thursday along with two other Marines while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province of Iraq, said Capt. Tyson Dunkelberger, public affairs officer for the Marine Forces Reserve.

Also killed were Cpl. Christopher Esckelson, 23, of Vassar and Lance Cpl. William Spencer, 20, of Paris, Tenn. Spencer was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Regiment out of Nashville, Tenn.

Miller, who grew up in Clifford, about 40 miles east of Saginaw, went into basic training in California shortly after graduating from Marlette High School in 2005.

He shipped out to Iraq in September, Pincumbe said. No one in the family had spoken to Miller since he left, although he sent regular e-mails, said Pincumbe, who spoke on behalf of Miller's family.

Pincumbe said his nephew loved to hunt, ride all-terrain vehicles and play paintball. He said Miller's proudest moment was when he shot a deer while hunting with his grandfather in 2001.

"He was looking to find his place in this world," Pincumbe said. "We're so proud of him."

Miller is survived by his mother, Connie Pincumbe; adoptive father Mark Miller; siblings Derek and Felisha, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

From the Free Press