Neighbors of a fallen New Jersey Marine fondly recalled their local hero yesterday.

Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, one of six Marines killed Thursday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, had always known he wanted to serve America, his childhood buddy Pat McGovern remembered.

“I knew there was something else, something more he wanted to do,” said McGovern, 24.

“He wanted to do something better for the country. I always loved him for that. It takes a big heart to do that.”

The 25-year-old Reinhard, on his second tour in Afghanistan, had been within weeks of coming home, said neighbors in the Colonia section of Woodbridge.

A banner reading, “Welcome home Kevin we missed you” and adorned with stars and stripes hung on the Reinhard house. A flag there flew at half-mast.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the crash, but NATO officials said it was an accident.

“He’s our hometown hero. We’re all heartbroken,” said neighbor William Sangiacomo, 41.