By Associated Press
Jamestown, NY – A Western New York Army sergeant was been killed in Iraq during intense fighting in Fallujah.
Sgt. James Matteson, 23, of Jamestown, was killed Friday in a rocket-propelled attack.
Matteson would have turned 24-years-old on November 22nd. His father was about to mail him a birthday card when an Army captain showed up at their house this weekend.
Matteson's father says the captain told the family that Matteson fought bravely against the insurgents.
Matteson was supposed to return home in February.
Word of Matteson's death devastated students, teachers and alumni at Southwestern High School, where Matteson was a star running back. During this weekend's football game, players wore Matteson's number 28 on their helmets.