Jesus A Gonzalez

Jesus Gonzalez, 22, had the flag of Mexico — the country of his birth — tattooed on his body. But he had always wanted to be in the U.S. military. The Marine, who grew up in the Southern California city of Indio, was killed in Iraq April 12. He was assigned to a tank battalion and died manning a checkpoint in Baghdad.

His family members have not decided whether they will ask for posthumous citizenship.

Gonzalez, who was married and had a 2-year-old daughter, is remembered as a respectful, outgoing young man who wanted the adventure and education he could get from joining the military. “He wanted to be in the Marines to get ahead in life, to improve his life and gain experience,” said his step-grandfather, Leopoldo G. Trevino.

“He was...