The community of Wading River said goodbye Monday to 29-year-old Army National Guardsman Jonathan Keller, as he was laid to rest.

Keller died on Jan. 24 of the injuries he sustained nine months ago when he was wounded in Afghanistan. He was remembered by his family and friends as a man of honor and a beloved son, brother and friend.

Specialist Jason Hwang, of Bethpage, was Keller's team leader and witnessed his final act of heroism. Keller was injured while leading his men into battle.

?Words can't describe how great of a person he is,? Hwang says. ?He was my soldier. Not only that, he was a very good friend of mine and I would have taken that bullet for him any day. I would have done anything I could have done to change all this.?

Specialist Ethan Garren, also of the Fighting 69th Infantry, says he'll miss Keller's sense of humor. His other infantry-mates say Keller wanted a lifetime career of service.

Keller is survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister.