(May 3, 2006)--LaNita Herlem says she couldn't have asked for a better husband.

Staff Sgt. Bryant A. Herlem, 37, of Copperas Cove died Friday in Baghdad when a bomb exploded during combat operations.

Sgt. Jose Gomez, 23, of Corona, N.Y. was also killed.

Both were assigned to the 4th ID’s 10th Cavalry, 4th Brigade.

Herlem loved to play childish practical jokes on his buddies, like throwing stink bombs into the bathroom.

He liked video games and collected GI Joes.

He loved passing out soccer balls and stuffed animals to Iraqi children.

Herlem was a carpenter and kept up with repairs around the house and his neighborhood.

He was raised by his grandparents in Whittier, Calif.

He and his wife, who is from Bassett, Va., met when both were stationed at Fort Ord, Calif.

She is no longer in the Army.

Herlem had been on active and reserve duty since 1986.

He had been at Fort Hood since 1998, except for one stint at Fort Riley, Kan. and two trips to Korea.

From Iraq, he communicated with his wife twice a day through the Internet.

Herlem was among ten 4th ID soldiers who died in roadside bombings during the last week of April in Iraq.

First Sgt. Bobby Mendez, 38, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died last Thursday when a roadside bomb exploded near his military vehicle during combat operations in Baghdad.

Mendez was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade.

Sgt. Kyle A. Colnot, 23, of Arcadia, Calif., Spc. Eric D. King, 29, of Vancouver, Wash., Pfc. Jacob H. Allcott, 21, of Caldwell, Idaho and Pvt. Michael E. Bouthot, 19, of Fall River, Mass. were killed during combat operations on April 22 when a homemade bomb exploded near their military vehicle, causing a fire, the Army said.

The four soldiers were assigned to the 4th ID’s 1st Squadron, 67th Armored Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

Sgt. Robert W. Ehney, 26, of Lexington, Ky., Cpl. Jason B. Daniel, 21, of Fort Worth and Cpl. Shawn T. Lasswell Jr., 21, of Reno, Nev. died April 23 in Taji when a homemade bomb detonated near their military vehicle, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.

All three soldiers were assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

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