IRAQ: Navy corpsman visits spot where Marine brother was killed.

When Marine Lance Cpl. James Swain was killed during the battle for Fallouja in late 2004, his brother decided to honor him by joining the Navy and becoming a corpsman.

Benjamin Swain, a Navy petty officer third-class, is now deployed near Fallouja with the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment.

And recently an officer who knew James took Benjamin Swain to the spot where his brother was mortally wounded.

"Being there and just being able to see the places where he spent his last hours meant being able to connect with him in some way," Swain told the American Forces Press Service.

His brother would be pleased at how Fallouja has changed, Swain said. "He would probably joke and say something like 'it's safe around here because of me.' "

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photo: Navy Corpsman Benjamin Swain (left) and Maj. Jeffrey McCormack visit the spot in Fallouja where Lance Cpl. James Swain was shot. Credit: Lance Cpl. Casey Jones