Bomb in Iraq kills Marine from Conn.

ENFIELD, Conn. -- A 19-year-old man from Enfield, who had fulfilled a longtime dream of becoming a US Marine, died Sunday morning in Iraq in an apparent roadside attack, a family friend confirmed last night.

Lance Corporal Philip Alexander Johnson was killed with another Marine as his unit was traveling from Ramadi, family spokesman Ron Jackman said.

Ramadi, about 70 miles west of Baghdad, is considered one of Iraq's most dangerous cities and is patrolled by hundreds of Marines. The Marines are confined to bases during the day and return to the streets at night.

Johnson's parents, Louis and Kathy , were notified by the military Sunday night, Jackman said. A Pentagon spokesman said more information on his death would be released today.

Johnson is the second Marine from Connecticut to die in Iraq in just over a week. Corporal Jordan Pierson, 21, of Milford, was killed Aug. 25. A memorial service for Pierson was held yesterday. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

A 2005 graduate of Enfield High School, Johnson had always wanted to be a Marine, those who knew him said. He joined the Westover Young Marines when he was 11 and remained with the unit through high school.

``He started real early, which gave him a big heads up on everybody," Jackman said.

Once he joined the Marines after high school, Johnson moved through the ranks quickly. He received his basic training in Camp Lejeune, N.C., then trained with a scout sniper unit. He arrived in Iraq on July 14.

``To attain lance corporal, that takes some doing," Jackman said. ``He made an impression. He was excited to go to Iraq."

Funeral services are pending.

As news of his death spread, friends gathered to remember a young man with goals and a drive to help people.

``Ever since I was a kid, all he wanted to do was be in the Marine Corps," childhood friend Jordan Meyer told WTNH-TV. ``I'm really proud of him."