LAWRENCE - Growing up, Alex Jimenez loved the Army so much that one of his goals was to join and be promoted through the ranks.

The Army specialist, who has been missing in Iraq since May 12, was promoted to sergeant this week.

Jimenez's father, Andy, was elated when he received the news Tuesday in a telephone call and a letter from the Department of the Army Human Resources Command in Arlington, Va. The promotion letter was dated Jan. 7.

"It gives me a great sense of pride," Jimenez said of his son's promotion. "This (his promotion) will make him feel proud when he returns," he said.

Jimenez, 25, of Lawrence, Pvt. Byron Fouty, 19, of Waterford, Mich., and Pfc. Joseph Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif., were captured in an ambush on May 12. Anzack's body was later found in the Euphrates River.

In the letter, Sgt. Maj. Thomas Gillis wrote, "The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of Alex R. Jimenez.

"In view of these qualities and his demonstrated leadership potential and dedicated service to the U.S. Army, he is, therefore, promoted from Specialist to Sergeant."

Jimenez said his son embodies all of those qualities.

"He's very patriotic, very dedicated and he's doing something that he likes, which is why he's so good at it," said Jimenez, 53, a construction worker.

Jimenez was visited by a casualty assistance officer, Capt. Andrew Childress of the Army National Guard headquarters in Springfield, and Capt. Al Bump, administrative officer for the Army National Guard in Worcester.

The captains, dressed in fatigues, sat across from Jimenez at his 11 Albion St. home and gave him the latest update on his son.

Bump said soldiers who are missing in action are considered in service until known otherwise, and are promoted depending on their level of education and training in the armed forces. The younger Jimenez has been in the Army for five years.

"I can't thank him enough for his son's service and his patience in this matter," Bump said.

Childress said information from Iraq indicates that two suspects believed involved in the ambush were still detained.

"This is one of the top priorities the Army is investigating," Childress said. "And we'll continue until there's a resolution."

Alex Jimenez's promotion comes less than a week before the eight-month anniversary of his disappearance.

"I know they're doing everything possible," Jimenez said. "I really appreciate what you're doing. God willing they'll find them both."