I do not see any difference from it happening there or in Afghanistan or Iraq, either by suicide bomber or enemy combatant with a weapon. The answer in my mind is YES--he did die in battle, it just happened near home but the reason he died was the same.
Thank you Minstrel. I agree.
This quote sums it up for me. President Obama should acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice made by this young man who died while serving his country. His family should be invited to the White House for an appropriate ceremony.