Doyle W. Bollinger joined the U.S. Navy shortly after high school. He was a Seabee.

“Wayne is a very special young man and is proud to be a Navy Seabee. He died defending his country. He is without doubt one of America’s finest,” a family statement said.

His unit has been in the Middle East since January, providing construction support to the Navy, Marines and other armed forces during military operations.

“He marched to the beat of a different drum, and he was happy in his own little world,” said Pat Eidschun, a retired teacher who taught Bollinger when he was in the seventh grade in Poteau.