OWEGO, N.Y. — A 21-year-old soldier whose goal was to become an Army Ranger was among three soldiers killed in Saqlawiyah, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
Spc. Charles Bilbrey Jr., 21, of Owego, who enlisted before his final year of high school, died July 26, along with Sgt. William Howdeshell, 37, of Norfolk, Va., and Spc. Jaime Rodriguez, 19, of Oxnard, Calif., the Department of Defense said July 29.
Bilbrey deployed in January with the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Ga. Soon after arriving he asked his family to send candy to give to Iraqi children.
“This place looks like...