Spartanburg Herald Journal -- Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes, the U.S. Marine from Gaffney who battled for his life for a week after being critically injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, died Thursday morning at an American hospital in Germany, his family said.

Fowlkes, 20, died about 9:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center because of complications from the injuries he sustained in battle Sept. 3 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the family.

Fowlkes' parents, Steve and Donna, were in Germany and by their son's side when he died, said LeighAnn Turner, a close family friend and longtime neighbor who also has a son in the Marines.

"Chris fought a long, hard battle and is a true American hero," the statement said. "We are a family of deep faith, and through our pain and loss we are steadfast in God's love and plans."

Ruth Fowlkes, Chris' grandmother, said: "Right now we've got a real hero in this family. I always figured he was one anyway, but we just love him. And now, too, he's home. He's got his leg back; he can see real good, and God is with him."

Turner said Fowlkes' body will be escorted by another Gaffney Marine, Maj. Russ Wright, as it is flown back to the United States. Chris' parents are expected to return to the U.S. today, after which funeral arrangements will be made.

The explosion occurred when Fowlkes and four other soldiers exited their military vehicle as they were attempting to return fire. One of them stepped on a ground bomb, military officials told Fowlkes' family members.

All five soldiers were injured. One other Marine and a Navy corpsman died of their injuries last week.

Sunday, Fowlkes was transported to Landstuhl -- the largest military hospital outside the U.S. and about three miles south of Ramstein Air Base -- where he underwent several hours of surgery performed by what his father called "the best surgeons in the world."

On Sunday evening, Steve Fowlkes said the family was a "little bit uplifted" by news of his son's condition, compared with initial reports they received, but that there were still concerns following surgery that included blood pressure, kidney problems and the removal of shrapnel from Chris' eyes.

Fowlkes also lost a large amount of blood as a result of the explosion.

Chris' parents traveled to Germany this week to see their son.

The family wishes to express thanks for the continued prayers and "overwhelming support" they have received, Turner said.

"So many people already are coming through," Turner said, "and technology is a wonderful thing -- we've received a million messages and prayers in a million different ways from all across the world, (including) from his commanding officer, who is still out in the battlefield. The family really appreciates it, but we also ask that people continue to pray for all the servicemen and women that are still over there, and their families as well."

==Another news story==

The Associated Press -- Christopher Fowlkes had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, but it wasn’t too much to drive six hours so he could send off his buddy to Marine boot camp.

“His heart was just huge,” said friend Cameron Snuggs. “He was my brother.”

Snuggs said Fowlkes always wore his uniform with pride — whether it was a Little League jersey, his Gaffney Indians high school uniform, Marine dress blues or camouflage.

“No one wore that Gaffney High School uniform like Chris did,” Snuggs said.

Fowlkes, 20, of Gaffney, S.C., died Sept. 10 at a U.S. military hospital in Germany. He had been seriously wounded a week earlier in Helmand province, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive detonated. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Rev. David Kite eulogized Fowlkes at his funeral.

“He gave laughter in situations that were really difficult to find humor,” Kite said.

“He gave friendship to those who needed a friend.”

Jessica LeMaster, who attended high school with Fowlkes, said it was clear in high school that he wanted to be a Marine. The two shared a love for University of Tennessee sports — and LeMaster said she had borrowed a pair of basketball shorts from him some time ago.

Now, she’ll keep them as something by which to remember him.