An indirect fire attack on a military base near Baghdad on Monday resulted in the death of a national guardsman from Mount Airy -- the 10th from North Carolina since Operation Iraqi Freedom began.

Pfc. Adam Lee Marion, 26, was assigned to the 171st Engineer Company. According to The Associated Press, Marion was one of three soldiers killed in an attack near Baghdad this week. The other soldiers killed were Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Sgt. Mark A. Stone, 22, of Buchanan Dam, Texas. They were members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk, La.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Pfc. Adam Marion's family," said Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., Adjutant General of the N.C. National Guard.

Marion joined the military in March 2007, joining with the 883rd Engineer Company in Mount Airy as a combat engineer. He volunteered for an overseas tour of duty and deployed to Iraq in September.

In a statement released by the N.C. National Guard, Marion's family remembered him as a passionate and kind person who was always very giving of his time.

"We are proud of his dedication to serving others, and we are grateful for the kind words of his fellow soldiers, who are still in harm's way," the family said.

Among his awards and honors are the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge.

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