Spc. John Barta

When he was a senior playing for the high school baseball team and questioning his role on the squad, Stephen Herndon was approached by John Barta. Barta was a star athlete on the team as an outfielder, pitcher and shortstop who received all-tournament honors. He also was an All-South Texas player in both baseball and football. "I didn't play a whole lot," Herndon said. "He would always try to reinforce to me that they needed me there. Coming from him that meant a whole lot." Kyle Christensen, a friend, agreed: "He was one of those guys you could always turn to when you were having trouble." Barta, 25, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Dec. 23 in Buhriz from indirect enemy fire. He was a 2000 high school graduate, attended Wharton County Junior College and was assigned to Fort Hood. "He was the most humble and most competitive person you'd ever meet," said Billy Ray Barta. "He was the best brother anybody could ask for." He also is survived by his wife, Eun Ji. "He was a good kid and a good man. No mother could ask for more," said Laurie Barta. "He had the biggest heart. He loved to help people."