Mass. soldier dies in attack by insurgents

BAGHDAD -- A 25-year-old soldier from Massachusetts was killed and two of his comrades were kidnapped during an insurgent attack in Yusufiyah, southwest of Baghdad, the US military confirmed last night.

The Department of Defense identified the victim as Army Specialist David J. Babineau of Springfield. He fought with the First Battalion, 502 d Infantry Regiment, Second Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Babineau and his unit were guarding a checkpoint Friday when they were attacked , said Ahmed Khalaf Falah, a farmer who said he witnessed the attack. Seven masked gunmen, including one carrying what appeared to be a heavy machine gun, killed the driver of the third vehicle, then took the other two soldiers captive, Falah said.

The missing soldiers were identified as Privates First Class Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, and Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore. US troops have spent two days looking for the missing soldiers, backed by helicopters and warplanes.

At least 36 servicemen from Massachusetts have been killed since the Iraq war began.