He was crazy and energetic--a kid that could drive you crazy but you couldn't help but love.
    — Brian Lee, youth pastor

    Kim's parents divorced when he was young, and in high school he moved several times: to the Midwest, to the East and then back to Southern California. His pastor said part of the military's appeal to Kim was its stability.
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    12 memories of Louis G. Kim

    I was Kim's Platoon Leader in Iraq. He had just gotten to the platoon and was going to be taking over as my Radio Telephone Operator (RTO). He was ALWAYS smiling, and always on the spot with a joke, a comically confused expression, or a reasurring smile. We were all devistated by his loss on Feb 20th. He will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

    — 1LT Jeff Craft
    June 23, 2008 at 3:57 a.m.

    R.I.P.

    — RYAN
    June 29, 2008 at 5:29 p.m.

    Jeff Craft, I know exactly what you mean when you say "comically confused" .. he'd give you that look then burst out laughing

    — Alfred
    December 16, 2008 at 4:36 a.m.

    Didn't know him, but my condolences and prayers are with his loved ones!! God Bless!!

    — someone
    August 17, 2009 at 9:55 p.m.

    I was Louis' recruiter but more importantly, his friend. I miss him dearly. For those of us who knew him at his recruiting station, we will never forget the person who made us all laugh with and at him. He was the very best, and I will never get over the loss.

    — Kap Kim
    October 12, 2009 at 1:46 a.m.

    I was Kim's "battle buddy" in Basic Traing. He always had a smile and always cracking a joke at somebody/something. He will be missed dearly and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Kim

    — Brandon
    March 3, 2010 at 9:28 p.m.

    Went to school with Louis from Kindergarten until Middle School. He would always make you laugh, I will never forget that.
    R.I.P

    — Shaya
    September 8, 2010 at 12:13 a.m.

    Rest in peace my little Korean bro...

    — ike
    January 13, 2011 at 4:44 a.m.

    Kim, has it been four years already? Truly, patriotism in its true form is of the kind you gave. "Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

    -a friend and colleague

    — R. Craig Brush
    February 19, 2011 at 7:46 a.m.

    4 years already?? It seems like almost yesterday you were checking out Tom Cruise in Top Gun. There isn't a day that goes by in which I don't talk about you. I love you brother. RIP

    — David Romero
    February 23, 2011 at 10:26 p.m.

    dont know him, but very brave and graceful for all the troops station oversea..
    wherever you were right now, must have lot of fun and make the people around you laugh and happy all the time.

    RIP

    — mary
    July 5, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.

    For sure always smiling. Watched him smile and run around on Camp Corrigedor. What an unselfish warrior.

    — CarGa
    October 3, 2011 at 7:26 p.m.

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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 736 California servicemembers and 490 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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