Scott B. Lundell, a 2nd lieutenant, was in Afghanistan with the I Corps Artillery providing training and support to the Afghan National Army, according to Utah National Guard spokesman Hank McIntire. Lundell was dispatched there in June.

Lundell was killed in Oruzgan Province north of Kandahar, about 50 kilometers from Forward Operating Base Ripley. The Pentagon said he was killed in a firefight with enemy forces who were using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

Lundell, 35, graduated from Granger High School, where he lettered in football and was president of the student body. He also served an LDS mission in the Philippines. He was married and had children.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Wilson, who commands the I Corps Artillery and visited Afghanistan and his troops there earlier this month, acknowledged that "we're engaged in a difficult and dangerous business throughout the world today."

Nonetheless, he said, the I Corps Artillery soldiers, including Lundell, were "truly upbeat - they were very engaged in the mission . . . they felt like they were making a difference."

Lundell enlisted in the Utah National Guard in 2004. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 2005 and Engineer Officer Basic Course in 2006.

"This is a tragic day for the Utah National Guard and for Lt. Lundell's fellow soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard.

The Lundell family declined to comment.