Army 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II was killed Nov. 19 when a bomb detonated near his Humvee during. He was among five 101st Airborne Division soldiers, two of them New Jerseyans, killed during two roadside bombings in Iraq that weekend.

“1st Lt. Zilinski was a courageous soldier fighting for our country’s safety and security,” Governor of New Jersey Richard Codey said. “We honor his life by flying the national and state flags at half-staff.”

Zilinski, 23, the son of a Vietnam veteran, attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he earned several awards in swimming and diving. He was a team captain.

He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Proceeds from the 1LT Dennis Zilinski bracelet will be donated to the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Foundation.