Two South Jersey Army officers killed in Iraq

Two Army officers from South Jersey were killed in separate incidents in Iraq this week.

Capt. Gregory T. Dalessio, 30, a Cherry Hill native and a 1996 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, was killed Monday by small arms fire after his patrol came under attack near Baghdad.

On Tuesday, Army Maj. Dwayne Kelley, a decorated state police trooper who was born in Willingboro and lived in South Orange, died in the bombing of a Baghdad district council building.

Members of Dalessio's family yesterday described the blue-eyed man with a bright smile as a faithful Catholic who was always happy and put his relationships with people - particularly his family - first.

Dalessio, the oldest of eight children, joined the Army because "he admired the values that the military brings," such as honor, truth and integrity, said his stepfather, Thomas Pagano.

"He lived a full 30 years," Pagano added. "He brought inspiration to everyone."

Dalessio had a bachelor's degree from Seton Hall University in special education and a master's degree in diplomacy and international relations.

He was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany.

He left for Iraq two months ago, on what was his second deployment. Dalessio had previously served in Kuwait and Baghdad from 2005 to 2006.

"He felt that he could make a difference," said Dalessio's uncle, Lou Pagano, "and I absolutely, 100 percent, believe that he did."

He died from injuries he received in Salman Pak, in the southern area of Baghdad Province.

Dalessio is the second graduate of Bishop Eustace to be killed in Iraq since the war began. Terrance Allen, a 21-year-old Marine corporal, was shot last September.

Kelley, 48, a Burlington County native, was a detective sergeant first class in the state police and a reservist who had volunteered for his third tour of duty in Iraq. He had been with the state police since 1988.

"He touched many lives throughout the law enforcement and military communities, and he will be deeply missed by us all," said Col. Joseph R. Fuentes, state police superintendent.

He spoke Arabic and served in the state police counterterrorism unit, according to State Police Capt. Al Della Fave.

Kelley had interviewed detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Fuentes said. He had also served in a military civil affairs unit working to restructure government and rebuild infrastructure.

Kelley was one of 10 people killed in the blast in the Sadr City section of Baghdad on Tuesday. Kelley and the others, including three Americans, were working to restore local government in the former Shiite militia stronghold. The bomb went off inside a councilman's office ahead of an election to choose a new chairman of the council.

Kelley's mother still lives in Willingboro.