Story last updated at 1:38 p.m. on April 6, 2005

By: Tatia Harris and Darrell Richardson | Oak Ridger Staff

Another East Tennessee soldier has died in Operation Iraqi Freedom - and this time it's very personal for Anderson County.

Oak Ridge soldier Stephen Kennedy, identified as a staff sergeant from the 278th Regimental Combat Team, was reportedly killed in fighting that followed an ambush south of Balad Ruz, Iraq.

Both Kennedy and another unidentified soldier were killed Monday in fierce fighting that followed an attack on the mixed force of U.S. and Iraqi troops by hidden insurgents, according to a report from the Associated Press.

Platoon Leader Lt. Dave Tiedeman told an embedded reporter from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, "The whole gunfight lasted a little more than four hours, and in the realm of gunfights that's an extremely long time."

"They knew we were coming," the lieutenant said.

Two Iraqi Army soldiers also were killed in the battle, while two other members of the 278th and 15 Iraqi Army soldiers were wounded, the Associated Press reported.

More than 15 insurgents were killed in Monday's fighting, military officials reported. Following the battle Monday, U.S. forces captured weapons and documents suggesting the insurgents used the area as a base and training center.

Closer to home, Oak Ridge Mayor David Bradshaw, who is visiting Nashville legislators this week with a group of city officials, told The Oak Ridger Tuesday evening, "Clearly, this brings a situation that perhaps seems a world away straight to our doorsteps."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," the mayor said.

Charles Hunter Jr., a friend of the Kennedy family, said the family had lived in the Scarboro neighborhood for two years and that they were "a wonderful family."

Hunter said his children and the Kennedy children - ages 4, 9 and 10 - played together.

Hunter said that on Wednesday the Kennedys' neighbors plan to bring them food and express their support.

"We want to come together as neighbors," Hunter remarked.

Brenda Kirk, a next-door neighbor of the Kennedys, said Tuesday that the family was very warm and caring. Kirk said she believed Mrs. Kennedy received a call Monday night regarding her husband's death, but there were no details available.

State Sen. Randy McNally, who first received word of the soldier's death during a National Guard breakfast Tuesday morning, told The Oak Ridger Tuesday night: "Your heart goes out to the family. [Stephen Kennedy's] sacrifice is humbling."

The state legislator added, "This is just so tragic and it's even more tragic when it's hometown people."

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