Fort Lewis soldier killed

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – An Army specialist stationed at this post was killed in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Spc. Rocky D. Payne, 26, of Howell, Utah, died March 16 while assisting U.S. forces in protecting and delivering mail in Iraq. His death was announced Friday on the Department of Defense’s Web site.

Payne, a former Marine, was serving his second tour in Iraq, family members said. He was assigned to the Army’s 497th Transportation Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 1st Corps Support Command at Fort Lewis, south of Tacoma.