Nathan J. Frigo killed by roadside bomb

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) - An explosion in Iraq killed a soldier from Kokomo and two other members of his Army unit this week, the Defense Department said Friday.

Pfc. Nathan J. Frigo, 23, died from injuries he suffered Tuesday when the bomb detonated near their vehicle in Baqubah, a city northeast of Baghdad. The other soldiers killed in the attack were Staff Sgt. Ryan E. Haupt, 24, of Phoenix and Sgt. Norman R. Taylor III, 21, of Blythe, Calif.

They were all assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division, which is based at Fort Carson.

The troops were among nine soldiers and one Marine killed by roadside bombs and enemy fire Tuesday, the military said.

Frigo, who graduated in 2001 from Northwestern High School, was the son of Maureen Frigo of Kokomo and Fred Frigo of Indianapolis. He enlisted in Army last year, and high school friend Erica Knight said he was proud of being in the military.

"Once he kind of decided that this was the route he was going to take, he was so dedicated to it," Knight told the Kokomo Tribune. "It was like 'This is what I believe in and I want to help in any way I can."'

Knight said she and Frigo had kept in touch via the Internet in recent months and that he was scheduled to spend some time at home next month.

"He talked a little bit about -- I can't say 'enjoying' what he was doing -- but it was a good experience," she said.

Frigo was the 68th person from Indiana to have died after being sent to the Mideast since the buildup for the invasion of Iraq began in 2003.

From KUSA 9