A 23-year-old Army sergeant from Newport has been killed in Iraq, the Rhode Island National Guard announced this evening.

Sgt. Michael Weidemann, originally of Portsmouth, was killed Tuesday "while engaged in combat operations" in Iraq, the Guard said. Weidemann was driving a military vehicle while on patrol in the Anbar Province west of Baghdad when his armored vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. It is unclear if anyone else was hurt in the incident.

Weidemann, the 11th Rhode Islander to die in Iraq since 2003, graduated from Rogers High School in 2001. He was an honors student and a member of the school's JROTC program. He enlisted in the Army the month after his high school graduation.

Weidemann was a member of the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

He is the first Rhode Island soldier killed in Iraq since Moises Jazmin, a 25-year-old Providence man died in late August. He was also killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his armored vehicle.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed issued a statement this evening regarding Weidemann's death.

This is a moment to reflect on the courage and dedication of one brave American who has given his all for this country," said the Rhode Island Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Our hearts go out to Sergeant Weidemanns family and friends as they bear this terrible loss.

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples