Pfc. Shane M. Stinson of Fullerton, Calif., attended Fullerton's Troy High School before earning his general equivalency diploma in 2001. He lived in Boise between the ages of 9 and 14 from about 1992 to 1997 where he attended Taft Elementary and Hillside Junior High Schools. He worked three years at Toys "R" Us before he decided he wanted something more for his life. He planned to join the Army to serve his country and earn money to attend college and he eventually wanted to attend business school and open a sporting goods shop. But for now he was excited to be making a difference in Iraq. Shane had always been athletic, passionate about playing baseball and football since he was a kid. But when he returned home from Iraq for a two-week break to celebrate his 23rd birthday, his friends noticed a big change. He talked and walked with confidence. In the military, he found purpose. During his two weeks at home, he visited with friends every day, traveled to his favorite beach spots and attended three Angels baseball games. He was thrilled that his favorite team won two of three, including a 4-1 victory in the last game he watched with his brother. He died in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire at age 23.

Army
2nd Battalion
69th Armor Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Benning, Ga.

Pfc. Shane M. Stinson of Fullerton, Calif., attended Fullerton's Troy High School before earning his general equivalency diploma in 2001. He lived in Boise between the ages of 9 and 14 from about 1992 to 1997 where he attended Taft Elementary and Hillside Junior High Schools. He worked three years at Toys "R" Us before he decided he wanted something more for his life. He planned to join the Army to serve his country and earn money to attend college and he eventually wanted to attend business school and open a sporting goods shop. But for now he was excited to be making a difference in Iraq. Shane had always been athletic, passionate about playing baseball and football since he was a kid. But when he returned home from Iraq for a two-week break to celebrate his 23rd birthday, his friends noticed a big change. He talked and walked with confidence. In the military, he found purpose. During his two weeks at home, he visited with friends every day, traveled to his favorite beach spots and attended three Angels baseball games. He was thrilled that his favorite team won two of three, including a 4-1 victory in the last game he watched with his brother. He died in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire at age 23.

Army
2nd Battalion
69th Armor Regiment
3rd Brigade Combat Team
3rd Infantry Division
Fort Benning, Ga.