AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci has announced that flags are to be flown at half-staff today in honor of Rex G. Sprague III, who died in Iraq last month.

Sprague grew up in Brewer and was working in Iraq for a private contractor. Before he died of gunshot wounds, he was able to save the lives of the three passengers in the vehicle he was driving.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.