HONOLULU -- A soldier from Hawaii has died in Iraq. Nainoa Hoe was shot and killed by a sniper last weekend as he led a foot patrol through Mosul.

His wife of seven months, Emily, is staying with her parents, who live in Newberg, Ore., where she's a business student at Western Oregon University.

Nainoa Hoe was originally from Kailua, Hawaii. He graduated with a master's degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii.

Hoe is remembered as the top ROTC cadet at UH in 2003. He won awards for academic achievement and physical fitness. His commanders said he was a soldier who was mature beyond his years. He grew up in Kailua and graduated with an MBA from UH.

"Everyone loses with his passing. He was an excellent representative of Hawaii, of this UH ROTC program, the United States Army. But, just as a human being, he was one of the best people I've ever encountered," UH ROTC Lt. Col James Johnson said.

Hoe was killed leading a patrol in Mosul Iraq. He was wearing body armor, but a bullet found his left side and hit his heart. He had been married just seven months, but his wife said she'll never forget him.

"I know he's here. He'll always be here with me in my heart. I loved him so much. He was the one. nobody can ever replace him. He was amazing," Hoe's wife, Emily, said.

His mother-in-law, Sharon Vo, said Hoe was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. She said they support the troops "1,000 percent."

The couple was planning a formal reception for next fall, when Nainoa Hoe was due to return from Iraq.

Vo said of her daughter, "Now she is 21 and a widow."