Keith A. Nurnberg dies 'of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations'

A family in McHenry is mourning the loss of a soldier killed Wednesday in Iraq, NBC5's Anthony Ponce reported.

Army Spc. Keith Nurnberg, 26, was killed when a missile hit the Humvee he was riding in, according to military reports.

"He was the best friend I ever had ... and I will have," said Jim Mowrer, in whose wedding Nurnberg served as best man.

"You worry about him, you know, but he's been there for so long, you just kind of get used to it," Mowrer said. "You just never thought it would happen to him."

Nurnberg's parents said he strongly believed in fighting the war in Iraq. But once he found out his wife, Tanya, was pregnant, he wanted to come home.

"He knew what he was doing," Mowrer said. "I think it hit him harder after his wife ... he had something to come home to finally."

Nurnberg grew up in McHenry and graduated from McHenry West High School, where he ran track. He enlisted in the Army at age 22, carrying on the tradition of his great grandfather, who fought in World War I, his grandfather in World War II, and his father in the Vietnam War.

Nurnberg leaves behind his wife, who is a schoolteacher, and their unborn son. The couple had already decided to name the boy Keith.

Nurnberg's mother said she is proud her son died serving her country, but it's hard for her to take much more comfort than that. She said Nurnberg and his wife weren't planning on having children this early in their marriage, but "everything happens for a reason."

Keith Nurnberg Jr. is due to be born on Nov. 17.

From WMAQ 5