In Marines, and in life, they were brothers

(Correction: Because of a reporting error, a story in yesterday's City & Region section about Marine Captain John Maloney from Chicopee, who was killed in Iraq, incorrectly said his brother had flown home from the Middle East on Friday. He returned from Quantico, Va.)

CHICOPEE -- A 36-year-old Marine from a local family devoted to the military died in Iraq last week after a homemade bomb struck a vehicle he was riding in, making him the third service member from Massachusetts killed this month in the conflicts.

The blast killed John Maloney, the father of two, and Lance Corporal Erik Heldt, 26, of Hermann, Mo. They were returning from a combat mission near Ar Ramadi.

Maloney was the eldest of three sons -- all of them Marines -- and was like a father figure to his younger brothers, relatives said. He enlisted in the Marines two months after he turned 18 and his brothers followed his lead. His youngest brother also has been serving in the Middle East.

Outside the family's green shingled house yesterday, a large, red Marine flag hung from the front porch along with several yellow ribbons and miniature American flags. Inside the house, nearly a dozen figurines of Marines decorated a doorway in the living room -- a room that featured framed pictures of all three brothers in their uniforms.

Maloney's youngest brother, Justin Clark, 23, a lance corporal in the Marine Reserves who flew back from the Middle East on Friday, said death is the reality of being a Marine. He said he believed his brother had no regrets about the life he led.

''Not many people are fortunate enough to have that type of life," said Clark. ''He always did his best to help us out. At a drop of the hat, he would be there for us. He lived a great life."

The other brother, Jason, is en route from Japan and is expected in time for his brother's funeral, which will probably be held next week. The family would like to have him buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

With three sons in the Marines, Lydia Maloney said the thought always lingered in the back of her mind that one of them might die. Then came the knock on the door early Friday, and the news that the war had taken her eldest son. The moment, she said, will always be ingrained in her memory.

''He took great pride in his men," she said, rubbing her hands back and forth as she spoke. ''He understood what his job was as a Marine."

John Maloney arrived in Iraq during the first week in March.

Clark said he wondered what the loss of his brother would mean for Maloney's 6-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter.

Lydia Maloney said she never had to ask her oldest son to help out. He naturally took to the role as a father figure when she and the boy's father divorced. John Maloney was 8 at the time.

''We didn't have a life of riches at that time," she said. ''He was the voice of reason. If someone got excited, he would take out the mental tape measure and say 'Is it worth it?' He was just a dream."

Maloney's passion for the Marines, she said, blossomed out of an interest in studying the Vietnam War at Chicopee High School, from which he graduated in 1986. As a Marine, she said, her son never lost his natural tendency to take care of people and make them laugh.

''It's chilling to know you have held this person who has touched so many people," she said. ''He could walk into a room and create a presence."

Maloney fought during the first Gulf War and served in Somalia. He met his wife, Michelle, while stationed in California. Maloney, who had been in the lead vehicle in the convoy when he was hit, is the third service member from Massachusetts to die of combat-related injuries this month.

Green Beret Staff Sergeant Christopher N. Piper, 43, of Marblehead, died on Thursday of injuries sustained in Afghanistan on June 3. Army National Guard Specialists Michael J. Kelley of Scituate, 26, died June 8 during a mortar attack on his base in Afghanistan.

At least 33 Massachusetts natives have died in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Maloney's mother's eyes filled with tears as she thought of her three sons' commitment to the military and their lives growing up together.

''I'm proud of the three of them," she said. ''They held themselves together."

By joining the Marines, Clark said, the three brothers only expanded their brotherhood.

''We're not just looking out for the three of us, but our other brothers right next to us," he said. Reflecting on his brother's service, he added, ''Marines like him make sure other Marines come home and keep the country safe."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.