Marine killed in Iraq was orphan immigrant who enlisted to thank U.S. for his new life

LOMITA, Calif. (AP) Jose Gutierrez left war-torn Guatemala for a new life in the United States and become one of his adopted country's first two casualties in Iraq.

An orphan who grew up on the streets while Guatemala was enmeshed in civil war, he found a new family when at age 14 he traveled to the United States by train, foot and bus. He enlisted partly to thank the United States for his new life, his foster brother said.

''He joined the Marines to pay back a little of what he'd gotten from the U.S.,'' Max Mosquera said. ''For him it was a question of honor.''

Lance Cpl. Gutierrez, 22, was killed in ground combat Friday. On Monday, a flag hung outside the Mosqueras' home in Lomita, 25 miles south of Los Angeles. The front porch was lined with pots of geraniums, each with a flag and a sign that read ''United We Stand.''