Immigration and Naturalization Service officials presented Francisco A. Martinez-Flores's naturalization certificate Sunday to his parents.

"I feel much honor and respect," his mother, Marta Martinez, told local television.

Martinez-Flores, 21, a Marine private first class, was killed March 25 when his tank fell into the Euphrates River in Iraq. He was a tank driver and mechanic with the First Marine Division.

Born in Mexico, he came to the United States with his family when he was three years old, and was proud of his adopted country, his father, Samuel Martinez, said.

He is the third US serviceman of Latin American origin to receive citizenship after being killed in Iraq, the others being Guatemala native and Marine Lance Corporal Jose Gutierrez, 22, and Marine Corporal Jose Angel Garibay, 21, a native of Mexico.

The US military accepts for enlistment noncitizens who are legal residents of the country.

SPACE.WIRE