A Stryker vehicle from Schofield Barracks hit a roadside bomb, was torn apart, and rolled over Friday in Iraq, killing four soldiers and injuring six others, according to the mother of one of the wounded soldiers.

Sylvia Martin's son, Sgt. Caleb Martin, 22, suffered one crushed and two damaged vertebrae in the blast, the New Mexico woman said today.

Sylvia Martin said part of the 20-ton Stryker vehicle blew apart and landed on her son, who was transported first to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and was en en route to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Her son could move his toes and was walking a bit before he was placed on a plane for the trip back to the United States, she said.

"We just feel lucky, and our hearts go out to those that didn't get the news that we got," Martin said.

The Pentagon today identified the four soldiers killed in Taji as:

• Spc. Michael T. Manibog, 31, of Alameda, Calif., who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.

• Sgt. Timothy P. Martin, 27, of Pixley, Calif., who was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment.

• Staff Sgt. Jerald A. Whisenhunt, 32, of Orrick, Mo., who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.

• Sgt. Gary D. Willett, 34, of Alamogordo, N.M., who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.

The fatal attack was the second involving Hawai'i's Stryker brigade, which deployed in November and December with 4,000 soldiers and about 328 of the eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles.

The first Stryker combat fatality occurred Jan. 19, when Spc. Jon Michael Schoolcraft III, 26, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, died from wounds suffered when his Stryker vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

The death, also in Taji, was four days after the brigade officially took over responsibility for that area of Iraq, which is northwest of Baghdad.

The latest death toll was the single largest loss of life for Schofield Barracks since 10 soldiers from the post were killed in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash in northern Iraq on Aug. 22, 2007.

Members of Hawai'i's congressional delegation reacted to the deaths, with U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye saying he was "saddened to learn of the deaths of the four Schofield-based soldiers. Although they were from the Mainland, they were part of our Island 'ohana, and we share the pain, sadness and grief of their family and friends.

"I salute these four brave soldiers for their service and sacrifice in a dangerous place far from home. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka said: "I am deeply saddened today by the loss of these brave soldiers, and I am again reminded about the true cost of this war. My heart and prayers goes out to their families and friends. They answered the call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They will not be forgotten.

"I think I speak for everyone in Hawai'i when I say these families have our love and support, and we will do what we can to ease their pain from this tragic loss. Let us all pause and remember these brave men who died far too soon."

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono said: "I am truly saddened to learn of the deaths in Iraq of four soldiers from Schofield Barracks. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of these soldiers."

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.