Another Jewish soldier killed in Iraq

Services set for Chicago soldier Bitton who died in Iraq

By Robert Mitchum and Mary Owen | Tribune reporter

February 25, 2008

Services for Cpl. Albert Bitton, a 20-year-old Chicago Army medic who died last week in Iraq, have been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at a Chicago synagogue, his family said.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m Tuesday in Congregation Adas Yeshurun, 3050 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago. The burial service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie.

Bitton was so proud of his Army service, friends said, that he wore his uniform everywhere when he returned to Chicago on leave – even to the bowling alley and park.

“He always wore those super-shiny shoes,” said friend Benjy Kandelman. “He never had a scuff on them.”

Bitton was killed along with two other soldiers in Baghdad when the Humvee they were in hit an improvised explosive device Tuesday, according to a statement from the Department of Defense. He was part of the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the department said.

The West Rogers Park resident joined the Army in December 2005 and had been stationed in Iraq since October. He was scheduled to return home for leave in August, his family said, and to complete his tour in January 2009.

Bitton is survived by his wife, Melissa Handelman; his parents, Elie and Sylvia; and his sisters, Elizabeth and Jackie

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