FORT DRUM — A 10th Mountain Division soldier with the 1st Brigade Combat Team has been killed in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense.

Sgt. Timothy Van Orman, 24, died Tuesday in Balad of injuries he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations in Al-Muqdadiyah.

Two other soldiers, Spc. Miguel A. Baez, 32, Bonaire, Ga., and Sgt. John C. Osmolski, 23, Eustis, Fla., both stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., also were killed by the explosion.

Sgt. Van Orman's mother, Kelly, said she received word of her son's death Wednesday when Army representatives came to her home in Port Matilda, Pa., where Sgt. Van Orman grew up.

Mrs. Van Orman said her son joined the Army about five years ago and was stationed at Fort Drum shortly after finishing basic training.

"He was wonderful," she said during a telephone interview Thursday morning. "He was very dedicated and believed in what he was doing. He thought he was making a difference," she said. Sgt. Van Orman enjoyed hunting and watching football on TV, she said.

Sgt. Van Orman played trombone for the Bald Eagle Area High School band at Friday night football games and in local parades, his local newspaper, the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa., reported.

"Tim was the kind of student who really poured his whole heart and soul into everything he did," Scott Sheehan, his former band director, told the local paper.

"It was a fun thing for him. He worked hard at it. He was the kind of kid you want in your program," Mr. Sheehan said.

"He was sort of the backbone of America type of kid, hard-working, smiles, very polite," Karen Morse, his high school counselor, told the newspaper.

In addition to this tour, Sgt. Van Orman served in Afghanistan from August 2003 to May 2005 and in Iraq from August 2005 to July 2006. His awards include the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation emblem, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Air Assault Badge.

In addition to his mother, Sgt. Van Orman is survived by his wife, Cadie, and not quite 1-year-old daughter, Haley; his father, Randy, a brother and two sisters.

Times staff writer Andy Stiny contributed to this report.