William L. Bailey III dies of 'wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle'

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) -- A specialist in the Nebraska Army National Guard was killed Friday during a convoy mission in Iraq, the Nebraska National Guard has confirmed.

Three other Nebraska soldiers were hurt by the roadside bomb, but the National Guard has not released their names or details of their injuries.

Spc. William Bailey, 29, of Bellevue was providing security for military convoys with the 755th Chemical Company, based in O'Neill. The National Guard reported Bailey was killed when an explosive device struck his vehicle near Tajji.

His death marks the 45th U.S. soldier with Nebraska connections to have been killed in combat.

Bailey is survived by his wife, Deanna, and children.

He was a member of the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters planned to meet Sunday afternoon to talk about their memories of Bailey.

Department spokesman Jack Syphers said Bailey was due to return home for a two-week leave in June.

From the Sioux City Journal