Marine on recruitment posters killed in Iraq

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- An eastern Missouri Marine once featured in recruitment materials has been killed in a weekend Humvee accident while serving his third tour in Iraq, his family said.

Two Marine Corps officers appeared at the family home Sunday to deliver the news that Staff Sgt. Trevor Spink, 36, of Farmington, died the previous day, said his half brother, Lucas Kozloski. Kozloski said the family was told that the accident was being investigated.

Spink, a career Marine and veteran of the Gulf War, was serving on his third tour in Iraq.

In a brief statement Tuesday, the Marines said Spink was among four Marines killed Saturday in a vehicle accident unrelated to combat. The corps said the accident was being investigated, and it would have no further comment.

Spink, based at Camp Pendelton, Calif., appeared on recruitment posters and billboards nationwide, leading friends and family to call him the Marines' "poster boy," Kozloski said.

"He had a lot of easy jobs in the corps, but every time a war would happen, he'd sign up for the infantry," Kozloski said. "He loved it, and he loved his country."

The last time he saw Spink was three weeks ago, before Spink returned to Iraq. Kozloski said they spent hours talking, trading stories or riding Spink's Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Kozloski said it made him feel better to know his brother died doing something that made him happy.

One of Spink's friends from high school, Larry Lacey, 38, remembered him as active and cheerful and said Spink was eager to join activities.

"I didn't get to see him the last time he was in town," Lacey said. "I would have given anything to see him again."