APPLETON (AP) – A soldier from Appleton was killed last weekend by a roadside bomb in Iraq, members of the Maine congressional delegation said Wednesday.

Spc. Joshua Humble, 21, died Sunday in Baghdad when the improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle, according to initial reports.

Humble, whose mother lives in Appleton, was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y., according to Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office.

He attended Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport from 1999 to 2002, a school official said.

Humble’s family referred media calls to Maj. Michael Backus, a public affairs officer for the Maine National Guard, who had no additional information about Humble.

“They didn’t want any other information disseminated,” Backus said.

He said the family was notified about Humble’s death soon after the fatal blast.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Joshua Humble, who died serving his country in Iraq,” Snowe said. “We cannot adequately express our gratitude for his sacrifice and that of his family, but his courage will forever be remembered.”

Rep. Tom Allen also expressed sympathy to Humble’s family.

“His death during the recent upsurge in violence puts a Maine face on the chaos and imminent danger that our troops and the Iraqi people experience on a daily basis,” he said.



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