The Associated Press and the Sioux City Journal report that Val John Borm, 21, of Sidney, Neb., was one of three soldiers killed Thursday when a bomb exploded near their Humvee vehicle during operations in Iraq's Kirkuk province.

Borm was serving as an infantryman in B Company, 2nd Battalion with the 35th Infantry. The unit is based at Fort Shafter, the reports said. Another soldier was wounded in the blast.

The military did not release the names of the soldiers killed or wounded in the explosion, so their families could be notified first. However, Borm's father, Larry Borm of Sidney confirmed to the press Friday that his son was one of those killed in the blast.

Borm graduated from Sidney High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Army in August of that year.

Borm's father said his son enjoyed his Army service, and that his son liked to play computer games in his free time. His son was also an avid paintball competitor, the reports said.

Borm is survived by his father; mother, Lolita; and younger sister, Kimberly.

The Pentagon yesterday said that a 20-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier, Pfc. Casey S. Carriker of Hoquiam, Wash., died in Kirkuk on Wednesday from injuries suffered in a noncombat-related incident.

Carriker was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.