An East Texas Marine and three others from his battalion were killed in combat in Iraq, the Defense Department said Sept. 10.

Staff Sgt. John C. Stock, 26, of Longview, died Sept. 6 in Anbar province, a predominantly Sunni province west of Baghdad that the military says has seen a recent drop in violence.

Stock was remembered as a fun, outgoing young man who was adventurous, fearless and “always kept a smile on his face.” He and childhood friend, Bosten Gisi, earned their Eagle Scout status together.

“He was a good East Texas boy through and through. He was not scared; he had no fear, and that’s why Iraq did not scare him. He said he knew what he had to do, and he was...