Maine soldier injured by bomb dies

MOSCOW, Maine -- A soldier from western Maine died from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb, becoming the third soldier from the state to die in a month, officials said yesterday.

Army Private First Class Jason Dore, 25, was eight months into his first tour of duty in Iraq when he was injured while on patrol in a Humvee, said Tim Cates, Dore's uncle. He died Sunday at a hospital in Baghdad.

Dore, who joined the Army in 2005, attended Upper Kennebec Valley High School in Bingham before graduating from the Job Corps in Bangor. While growing up in the Moscow area, he enjoyed being outdoors and fishing at Hunter's Pond in Bingham, Cates said.

"He was just a great kid. He was extremely proud of his service," he said.

Governor John Baldacci said he had spoken to Dore's family, including his mother, Gail, in Moscow. Dore's father, Jody, lives in North Anson. Dore also leaves a 15-year-old brother, Logan French, who lives with his mother.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of this promising young man," Baldacci said. "The family is really suffering from this tremendous loss. We will do everything we can to stand with them and support them during this very difficult time."

Flags will be ordered flown at half-staff on the day of Dore's funeral. Yesterday, family members had not begun making arrangements, Cates said.

Dore was the second Mainer from the First Cavalry Division to be killed in Iraq in less than a month. Army Sergeant Joel A. House, 22, died June 23 from wounds sustained in a roadside bomb attack in Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad.

Also, Maine National Guard Sergeant Richard Parker of Phillips, a member of the 152d Field Artillery Regiment, died a day after being injured by a roadside blast on June 13 in Scania, Iraq.