Justin E. Schmalstieg, 28

Schmalstieg, a bomb disposal technician, was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed by an explosion. He had previously served three tours in Iraq. Schmalstieg had deep ties to his hometown in Pennsylvania but found found a spiritual home at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Oceanside, the community where he lived after marrying in late 2009. He attended mass each morning before heading to work on the base, and he and his wife spent time each week going door-to-door in the parish, inviting lapsed Catholics back to church and introducing the faith to those interested, said Father Cavana Wallace, the parish priest.