The last time Pfc. Andre Craig Jr., called home, on Saturday, he told his mom he was exhausted. The 24-year-old infantryman had been on patrol all night, family members said.
Then he left for a mission, they said. Soon afterward, the Humvee in which Craig was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad. He died Monday from his wounds, according to the Department of Defense.
Craig's mother and wife did not wish to speak with reporters, but relatives at the press conference outside a relative's home on Bassett Street held Craig's baby daughter, Taylor, who was born while he was in Iraq. She wore a white dress decorated with red and blue stars.
Craig returned home on leave last month, meeting Taylor for the first time and visiting with neighbors, who warned him to be careful in Iraq.
"Dre," as Craig was known, had long dreamed of joining the Army and also hoped to become a state trooper after his service, relatives and friends said. The Wilbur Cross High School graduate had hoped the Army would pay for his college education.
One of six siblings in a close-knit family, Craig served as a big brother figure to many children in the Hill neighborhood where his family lived, urging young people to stay out of trouble, residents there said.
Seeing his daughter changed Andre, Jonathan Craig, 20 said about his big brother - he had a gleam in his eye, as if he suddenly had a new purpose in life.
But during his time home from Iraq, Jonathan said, Andre also seemed to have something on his mind, as if he knew something bad was going to happen.
Jonathan recited his brother's last words to him: "Take care of my daughter as if you were the father, until I come back."
