LAFAYETTE - A Lafayette U.S. Marine Corps reservist with the TOW Platoon, 23rd Marines was wounded in Iraq on Sunday during an enemy attack while his unit patrolled an area west of Baghdad, platoon leaders said Wednesday.

Sgt. Scott Guillory, 23, of Lafayette was transported to a military hospital in Germany where he underwent surgery for his injuries.

"His injuries were very serious," said Lt. Col. Tim Hill of the TOW Platoon, 23rd Marines. "We're just thankful he's alive and able to talk to his family."

Guillory's unit was patrolling in the Al Anbar province of Iraq when it was attacked. Hill could not release more specific information about the extent of Guillory's injuries or about the attack, citing security concerns.

"Insurgents check the Internet for that information to see if they were successful or not," Hill explained.

He did confirm Guillory is still in Germany.

"He'll probably have a long recovery and rehab process ahead of him," Hill said.

Guillory joined the Marine reserves six years ago at 17.

Hill said Guillory's family was unavailable for comment and asked him to serve as their spokesman.

"The main thing they asked me to do was to express their appreciation for the community's support," Hill said.

Guillory's family is in communication with the wounded Marine, Hill said.

"His mother wanted me to express her appreciation for the prayers and support. She feels strongly that that had a positive effect," he said.

The Marine Corps League's Acadiana detachment has been instrumental in helping Guillory's family through this experience, he said. The league has adopted the unit of reservists offering assistance to families and organizing fund-raisers.

Hill described Guillory as a Marine of "outstanding character."

Guillory is a squad leader who was promoted to sergeant in September.

"The fact he got meritoriously promoted to sergeant speaks of his character," Hill said. "That's difficult to do."

Sgt. Brian Ardoin, the platoon's noncommissioned public affairs officer, and Guillory were in the same squad when Guillory first joined. He recalled asking Guillory why he decided on the Corps.

"I'll never forget his story," Ardoin said. "He had an uncle who had been activated during Desert Storm with this unit actually. He said when his uncle came home they had a parade for him. When he saw his uncle in the parade, he knew he wanted to be a Marine."

About 100 members of the platoon were deployed to Iraq in September. Its members are from all parts of southern Louisiana. The typical deployment for a reserve unit is usually seven months, Hill said. The platoon is supporting two different locations west of Baghdad and attached to the 1st Marine Division based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

"By all accounts they are exceeding all expectations," Hill said.

A majority of the Marines in the platoon participated in the attacks on Fallujah that ultimately allowed the United States to capture the city.