His father staunch critic of war

The first lieutenant's father, also named Andrew J. Bacevich, graduated from West Point and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel while serving in the Vietnam and first Gulf War.

The elder Bacevich - who resides on Courtney Road with his wife, Nancy - now teaches international relations and history at Boston University, and has spoken out against the Iraq war.

The younger Bacevich, 27, died Sunday from wounds he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated. The soldier was in Salah Ad Din province with the 1st Cavalry Division.

A woman who answered the phone at the Bacevich household yesterday directed comment to the Massachusetts National Guard, which released a statement from the family. In addition to his parents, the soldier is survived by three sisters.

"Andy had the gift of humor and could make anyone laugh. This trait, along with his charming personality and handsome looks, drew people to him," the statement says. "He was quick to make friends, and diligent at maintaining those relationships."

The younger Bacevich's military service extends back to his days as a student at Boston University, when he joined ROTC. Because of childhood asthma, Bacevich was asked to leave ROTC. Despite this condition, he ran several marathons and enjoyed playing soccer, his family said.

Bacevich graduated from Boston University in 2003 with a major in public relations, and even while working for Republican state Sen. Jo Ann Sprague and former Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, he maintained his desire to join the military. He was eventually accepted as a candidate for Officer's Training Camp and, according to Fort Hood spokeswoman Nancy Bourget, joined the military in July 2004 as an armor officer.

Bacevich's unit was part of the Fort Hood, Texas-based 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He had served with that battalion since August 2005 and deployed to Iraq in October 2006.

"Andy's personable demeanor and strict organizational skills made him an effective platoon leader," the family said. "Our whole family will miss him dearly and forever. Andy was a great man."

During his tour of duty, Bacevich earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon, Bourget said.

Bacevich's father has criticized the war in Iraq through books and newspaper columns.

In "The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War," which was published in 2005, Bacevich warned against the perils of using military strength to promote the nation's ideals.

In the Washington Post in July 2006, Bacevich wrote of Iraq that "one at least ought to acknowledge that in launching a war advertised as a high-minded expression of U.S. idealism, we have waded into a swamp of moral ambiguity."

In a Boston Globe column published in March of this year, Bacevich wrote, "Iraq teeters on the brink of disintegration" and charged, "the Iraq war has diverted attention from existing dangers (such as Al Qaeda) while encouraging potential adversaries (like Iran) to see us as weak."

William Keylor, also an international relations and history professor at Boston University, said he has been in contact with the elder Bacevich, but is otherwise trying to respect the family's privacy.

Despite the elder Bacevich's criticism of the war, Keylor said be believed the father and son to be very close.

"Andy senior had great respect for his son, regardless of the politics of the war in Iraq," Keylor said. "All of his colleagues and friends at Boston University are horrified and saddened by this event. Everyone is rallying around them and sending messages of condolence and support to the family."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.

Daily News staff writer Greg Duggan can be reached at 781-433-8355 or by e-mail at gduggan@cnc.com.