Wednesday, Chesapeake native Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dozier died in Iraq.

Although the Army has not been able to tell his family much, the Doziers believe he was one of the six soldiers killed in a blast form a bomb hidden inside a house.

“He didn’t want to die for nothing, and he said that in a letter he wrote to me right after he got there,” recalled Dozier’s father, Carl.

Dozier came from a family with a history of service. His relatives fought in the Civil War, both World Wars and Desert Storm.

“From a baby, I guess I inculcated in him that desire,” said his father.

From childhood into manhood, Dozier followed the path that led him to become another generation of Doziers in the military.

“Laying in the swamps of Louisiana for training. How do you enjoy rolling in the swamps with everything, you know, with everything, not know what was gonna get you,” Dozier’s stepmother, Jean, asked.

Dozier’s path continued, taking the 30-year-old to Iraq.

Dozier was among troops who swept through homes in the terrorist-ridden area making sure they weren't covers for insurgents or their weapons.

Family Photo

This image of Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dozier was taken on Christmas Day.

Phone calls, visits from friends, medals and pictures are things left from a live lived and lost, a life that for Dozier’s family was as extraordinary as they come.

"He believed in something bigger than himself is what he said, 'I believe in something bigger than myself," and, you know I couldn't ask for a son to understand life better than that," said his father.

Dozier’s body will be flown back to the United States. A local service will be held in Hampton Roads, and Dozier will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.