FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - A Virginia family is mourning a soldier, killed fighting in Iraq (web | news) . Corporal Ryan McGhee was on his fourth deployment to a war zone when he died.

Corporal Ryan McGhee had known since he was a teenager that he wanted to be an Army Ranger. He was in his fourth tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan this week when his unit came under fire, claiming the life of the 21-year-old Virginian.

"The loss has been devastating for me and my family; never in a million years would I have thought this would happen," said Steven McGhee, Ryan's father.

"He was my best friend. I feel like I lost half of myself," said his brother, Zac.

Ryan graduated from Massaponax High School where he was a well-liked student who met the woman he was to marry during his sophomore year.

"I lost my soul mate. I don't know what else to say. He was my one and only, so it's been difficult for all of us," said Ashleigh Mitchell, Ryan's fiance.

Students at McGhee's high school in Fredericksburg were told Wednesday that he had died in the line of duty. The news hit faculty the hardest.

"He was always talking about he wanted to give back to the country; he wanted to do something for the country. He was such a proud American," said Joe Rodkey, the principal of Massaponax High School.

"Sometimes in death people can kind of embellish a little bit, but in this case it's not an embellishment at all, he was the genuine article," said his coach.

Today, the family is struggling with its emotions as it makes final arrangements. Family members hope Corporal Ryan McGhee will never be forgotten.

"He was a good man and a good son, and he will be deeply, deeply missed," added his father.

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