Army Specialist Johnathan B. Chism

Remember Our Heroes

Army Specialist Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La.

Spc. Chism was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska; died Jan. 20 in Karbala, Iraq, from wounds sustained when his patrol was ambushed while conducting dismounted operations.

Spc. Johnathan Bryan Chism, 22, of Prairieville, La., was a Boy Scout who enjoyed skydiving and rock climbing and became an artillery specialist in the Army.

He "liked anybody and everybody," his mother, Elizabeth Chism, said Sunday. He had been due to come home next month for two weeks of rest and relaxation, she said.

"Right now we have not had any official word form the military" Chism's sister, Julie Andexler, said when asked in a brief telephone interview about Friday's report. She said the family would have no other comment until they have been briefed by the military.

Spc. Johnathan Bryan Chism, 22, of Prairieville, La.: He was an artillery specialist on his first tour of duty in Iraq. His family, including his sister, who is also stationed in Iraq, was gathering in Prairieville Monday night, according to local news reports. He joined the Army in March 2005 and had been in Alaska since August of that year.

On his myspace.com page , decorated with Louisiana State University football photos, he says he likes motorcycles, country and metal music and jumping out of airplanes ("I get paid for that one.") His mother's MySpace page says, "My Heart is in Iraq."

Chism wrote her Jan. 5: "Love you and miss you mom. Can't wait till Feb."

That's when he was due to come home on leave.

Army Specialist Johnathan B. Chism was killed in action on 1/20/07.