Wessel was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from ASSETS School in 2003. Family spokesman Chuck Arthur said Wessel's family lives in Mo'ili'ili and is very distraught over the news of Wessel's death.

Arthur said Wessel was a "very bright" person who enjoyed hiking, camping and anything to do with the outdoors. But Wessel's dream was to some day serve his country.

"Kevin always wanted to be in the military," Arthur said. "He's always had an extreme interest in the military. I'm sure it was a lifelong dream of his."

Wessel's first love was the Coast Guard and he was an active member of the Sea Cadets, an auxiliary program that introduces teenagers to Navy life. Wessel had many friends in the Coast Guard here and moved to Newport, Ore., after graduating from high school to be with a friend who had been transferred.

Arthur said he did not know what led Wessel to enlist in the Army rather than the Coast Guard. But Arthur believes Wessel just wanted to be in the armed services.

"Kevin is a very quietly intense person, very sensitive, very deep feelings. I think it was time for this young man to begin his life and he wanted to get started; he didn't want to wait," Arthur said.

Wessel's father, Paul, is a pilot and Kevin Wessel also loved to fly. Arthur said the younger Wessel probably would have pursued a career in aviation.

"He had an extreme interest in flying. He flew with his father at Dillingham in gliders. He flew small airplanes with his father. I think his father unofficially taught him how to fly," Arthur said. "I wouldn't have been surprised that flying in some type, whether it was in the military or not, was in his head and in his plans and dreams."

Although the Wessels asked that Arthur speak for the family, Kevin Wessel's mother selected a quote from Benjamin Franklin when asked to speak of their son:

"Those who would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Wessel is survived by his parents, Paul and Lori; and brothers, Jason and Greg. Arthur said services are pending, but the family plans to bury Wessel at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.