Schofield GI died saving pals

The widow of Army Staff Sgt. Richwell A. Doria, who was killed by small-arms fire during an air assault and rescue mission last week in Iraq, says that anyone who knew her husband will remember him as a "hero."

Doria, 25, of San Diego, was killed Nov. 7 in Kirkuk -- just a month shy of his 26th birthday.

Family members said Doria had jumped out of the helicopter to get more guys when he was shot.

Through family spokesman Roy Toguchi, Doria's wife, Jasmine Michioka Doria, said: "We're very proud of Rich. He was a very dedicated soldier, husband and father."

His mother-in-law, Kazue Miyano, said in an e-mail from Las Vegas that her daughter got a call from her husband the day before he was killed. He said he was to be honored for helping his team members when one of the Humvees in his convoy blew up in front of him: "Without hesitation, he jumped out to go and help his friends only to hear them screaming, 'Help me.' "

Doria was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in February 2001. He and his wife were married on Jan. 16, 2004, and have a 4-month-old daughter, Jada. His widow is originally from Kapaa, Kauai.

"He was a stand-up guy," Toguchi said, "and was there for everybody."

Toguchi added that he remembers Doria as being "a wonderful artist. He loved to sketch."

Doria also served a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2004 with Schofield's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

Other survivors include his parents, Rosario Arzadon Doria and Fred Parajas Doria, sister Rowena Arzadon Doria, father-in-law Cory Michioka, stepmother-in-law Susan Michioka, and stepfather-in-law Derek Miyano.

Doria was the eighth Schofield soldier killed in Iraq since August. A private memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Schofield.