ORONO (AP) – A 2004 University of Maine graduate who was the cadet commander of the Army ROTC battalion in his senior year has been killed in Iraq.

Second Lt. Matthew Coutu, 23, of North Kingstown, R.I., was killed Monday in Baghdad when enemy forces engaged his convoy with small arms fire, the Defense Department said Wednesday.

Coutu, who was assigned to a military police unit, was remembered by a member of the university’s Military Science Department as a natural leader who inspired confidence and served as a mentor to the younger cadets.

“Matt was an exceptional young man,” Capt. Jeffrey Weston said. “It’s easy at times like this to toss around all sorts of superlatives, but Matt was head and shoulders above his peers. He was one of those guys who was larger than life, and he just stuck out.”

A distinguished military graduate, Coutu received the George C. Marshall Award, which is given to the top cadet at each university. He was a history major and graduated with a 3.4 grade point average, Weston said.

UMaine President Robert Kennedy said the community was saddened to learn of Coutu’s death. “He was an outstanding member of the UMaine community, and we will honor and always remember his selfless service to our country,” he said.

Coutu is survived by his mother, Donna, who lives in North Kingstown, and his father, Michael, of North Hampton, N.H.

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