Army Sgt. Robert M. McDowell

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Robert M. McDowell, 30, of Deer Park, Texas

Sgt. McDowell was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; died April 1 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Also killed were Army Staff Sgt. Eric R. Vick, Army Staff Sgt. David A Mejias and Army Spc. William G. Bowling.

Press Register -- The body of Army Spc. Robert Matthew McDowell is scheduled to return to the United States late Thursday, according to his family.

McDowell, 30, was killed Sunday in Baghdad by an improvised explosive device detonated by insurgents. The soldier's father is Robert Kim McDowell of Mobile.

"He loved the army, he truly loved it," the soldier's stepmother, LaDonna Dickman McDowell, said Tuesday. "He believed in America and fighting for America, and he believed in everything this war meant."

Robert Matthew McDowell's body is scheduled to arrive in Dover, Del., late Thursday, his stepmother said. It was unclear Tuesday where the body would be flown from Delaware.

Funeral arrangements were still pending Tuesday afternoon. The family is planning a memorial service in Mobile sometime after Easter, they said.

The soldier, who was born in Jacksonville, Fla., grew up in Deer Park, Texas, his father said.

Kim McDowell said his son had only recently returned to Iraq after being home on leave for the birth of his son, Nathan Matthew McDowell, in Evans Mills, N.Y. The enlisted man was based at Fort Drum, N.Y., and served as a military policeman. He was with the Army's 10th Mountain Division.

Kim McDowell said an Army spokesman reported that his son -- who was on his second tour of duty -- was serving as the gunner on a heavy-duty Army vehicle on patrol in Baghdad, when the explosive device was detonated.

"What he died doing is what he truly wanted to do in the very beginning," LaDonna Dickman McDowell said. "He definitely was one of the most gung-ho soldiers I've ever met in my life."

The soldier, who was once stationed in Germany, planned on moving back to that country when he returned from duty, either with another army station or on his own, his father said.

"Germany really stuck in Matt's heart," Kim McDowell said. "He loved Germany; German food, beer, wine and women," he joked.

Robert Matthew McDowell's wife, Daniella, is German. The pair met and married while the soldier was stationed in her home country, his family said.

In addition to his wife, his son, his father and his stepmother, Robert Matthew McDowell is survived by his mother, Kathy Jo Kallahan, of Deer Park, Texas; daughter Madison, of Texas; brother Michael McDowell of Pearland, Texas; four stepbrothers, Neal Dickman, Andy Dickman, both of Mobile, Tyler Dickman of Indianapolis and Grant Dickman of Evansville, Ind.; and other relatives.

Family members said donations may be sent to the Matthew McDowell Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of America, 5803 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas, 77505. Donations may also be sent to the Holy Family Catholic Church at 1400 Joyce Road, Mobile, Ala., 36618.

Army Sgt. Robert M. McDowell was killed in action on 04/01/07.