A soldier with ties to North Carolina was killed during patrol exercises in Iraq on Sunday, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday.

Cpl. Christopher J. West, 26, of Arlington, Texas, died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol in Muqdadiyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg.

West, a combat medic, joined the Army in January 2007. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga., in March and Healthcare Specialist Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in July. He completed the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga., and was assigned to his unit a month later.

"Spc. West brought an upbeat attitude to the platoon that spread to everyone he met," 1st Lt. Rich Demarais, West's platoon leader, said in a press release. "He loved being a combat medic and a paratrooper. It was an honor to be his platoon leader."

West's awards include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

West is survived by his parents, John and Hattie West of Arlington, Texas.

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