
PHOENIX — A 21-year-old soldier who was the fourth generation in his family to serve in the military has died in Iraq.
Spc. Andrew C. Ehrlich grew up an Army brat and lived on several military bases before his family settled in Mesa about eight years ago, his father, retired Master Sgt. Mark Ehrlich, said Thursday.
“He was an infantryman like I was, like his grandfather and great-grandfather,” said Mark Ehrlich, who retired from the Army eight years ago.
“I knew the moment he was born he was going to do it ... We have an Army and combat arms tradition in our family.”
Ehrlich died Monday in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, from a noncombat injury that is under investigation, the Department of Defense said.
Ehrlich was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Vilseck, Germany. He had served in...