CORVALLIS - Oregon State University on Saturday will honor the memory of an OSU Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate who was killed in action in Iraq this summer.

Marine Lt. Col. Max Galeai was the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment "Island Warriors," based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He died June 26 in Karmah, Al Anbar Province.

Galeai graduated from Oregon State in 1988.

Lt. Col. Charles Burk, one of Galeai's OSU classmates, is organizing Saturday's tribute, which will take place before the Beavers' 1 p.m. football game with Hawaii.

In addition to the on-field recognition, Burk and other friends of Galeai will have pre- and post-game socials in Galeai's honor at the Naval ROTC unit adjacent to Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.

Burk is assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He called Galeai "a brilliant leader of Marines, husband, father, and a true American hero."

Galeai, 42, was a two-time Bronze Star recipient. He died after a suicide bomber attacked a meeting between local sheiks and U.S. military personnel.

The attack took place 30 miles west of Baghdad.

While at OSU, Galeai was the student battalion commander. Upon his graduation in 1988, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He went on to serve in numerous locations, including Virginia, California, Japan and Hawaii.

In addition to earning two Bronze Stars, Galeai received a Purple Heart and five Meritorious Service Medals.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and four children.