Sgt. Robert T. Ayres III, a 2003 Malibu High School graduate, died Sept. 29 in Iraq. Malibu High Principal Mark Kelly said at last Thursday’s Board of Education meeting that a sniper killed Ayres during an insurgent attack on his unit in Baghdad. He was 23.
Ayres, who was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment from Vilseck, Germany, was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Ayres was born July 26, 1984 in Santa Monica. He moved with his family to Los Osos in 1988. When he was 15, he returned to Southern California. Malibu High science teacher Nancy Schellkopf became Ayre’s guardian, and provided a room for him in her house.
Ayres is the first known Malibu High graduate to die in military service. A memorial service took place for him in Central California and Los Angeles.