
CLOVIS, Calif. — A 23-year-old soldier who had hoped to return home to attend college was killed near Baghdad during his third tour in Iraq.
Sgt. Steven M. Packer of Clovis died from wounds he suffered Thursday after his patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device in Rushdi Mullah, the Defense Department said Friday. An al-Qaida-linked group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Packer, who graduated from Clovis High School in 2002, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum in northern New York.
Packer’s mother, Robin Davidson, said her son couldn’t wait...