NATCHEZ &045;&045; He was at war. She was in labor. Yet the husband and wife were united across the thousands of miles at 8:01 p.m. on Wednesday, when Landon Patrick Krueger, their first child, was born.

Using all the technology they could muster from the military and from family in Natchez Patrick Krueger and his wife, Jessica, shared the moment by telephone and e-mail &045;&045; he, a Marine stationed in Iraq; she, a young wife and new mother at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

Their son, 8 pounds and 14 ounces, shouted appropriately as his father listened by telephone to the magical moment of birth, Jessica said. &uot;He called just as the baby was delivered. It was very emotional.&uot;

On Tuesday, Patrick acknowledged his anxiety as he awaited the birth of his son. &uot;I’ve been upset that I’m not going to be with Jessica when she has the baby,&uot; he said.

The waiting and wondering from the other side of the world has gnawed at him. &uot;I’ve been nervous, anxious, worrying myself to death,&uot; he said. &uot;But she has had it rougher, having to be by herself.&uot;

She had plenty of support from parents and grandparents. But they did not take the place of her husband and Landon’s father. &uot;We miss him. We worry about him. He’s the love of my life, and I wanted him with me,&uot; Jessica said, pointing out the red roses he had sent to the hospital room.

Patrick longs to be with his wife and son. But he is committed to the job he and others in the military are doing in Iraq. &uot;I’ve been here since February this time. This is the second time,&uot; he said.

As combat engineers, he and his colleagues spend shorter terms, about seven months at a time, but go more often to volatile territories, where they focus on mines, construction and destruction of bridges and other work dealing with explosives.

Recently, Patrick, 24, received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for his heroism on April 7, 2003, during his first tour when American forces began initial entry into Baghdad.

His was the first vehicle into the city on that historic day.

&uot;When the battalion needed to construct a ribbon bridge to cross the Diyala River, Private First Class Krueger promptly volunteered to employ his D-7 medium tractor. Being the first vehicle into Baghdad, he skillfully moved his tractor to the hostile far shore in order to create a foundation for the vital approach to the bridge,&uot; the commendation reads.

&uot;Carefully negotiating the steep bank, he began to construct the bridge’s approach despite not having previous bridging experience. While operating under sporadic enemy fire, Krueger tirelessly worked throughout the day and night, improving the unstable bank, and he operated his tractor with great skill, courage and resolve,&uot; the certificate continues.

&uot;Through his determined actions, this critical bridge crossing was opened quickly and allowed essential combat and support vehicles to cross into Baghdad in order to continue the attack.

&uot;His initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.&uot;

Being the target of enemy fire took some adjusting on his part, he said. &uot;At first, you feel the goose bumps on the back of your neck. Yes, you get scared,&uot; he said. But that changes with time. &uot;Now we are more used to it. It’s not like that.&uot;

The young Marine has been promoted to lance corporal now. He expects to return from Iraq in October with his group.

Until then, he will count the days until he reunites with his wife. &uot;I can’t wait to hold my child for the first time,&uot; he said.

He proudly wears the uniform and goes into hostile situations knowing the America he serves is worthy of protecting, he said.

&uot;I hope all the people back home appreciate what the guys and girls are doing over here to serve their country,&uot; he said. &uot;I hope they appreciate the safety they live with at home every day.&uot;

Grandparents of the new baby boy are Sue Krueger of Baton Rouge, La., formerly of Natchez, Carla and Jim Allgood of Natchez and Jerry and Connie Calvitt of Lexington, N.C.