Warren's family issued a statement Tuesday, saying he died while proudly serving his country and doing what he believed in.

"He wanted to make a difference in the world," the family said in a statement issued by the Defence Department.

"He died doing what he loved, being a soldier and serving his country."

The Venezuelan-born Gomez reportedly joined the Armed Forces right out of high school.

His older brother, Richard, also served in the military.

George Gomez, 76, has said his son was killed less than a week before he was to return home to Canada. He added the family accepted the risks the soldier was taking by going to Afghanistan.