SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A 23-year-old soldier from Santa Rosa died in Iraq last week when an explosive detonated near his vehicle, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Army Spc. Joshua J. Kynoch was killed Saturday when the improvised device went off while his unit was in a convoy in Bayji, Iraq. Kynoch was riding in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when he was killed.

Kynoch was married and the father of a five-month-old daughter. His family remembered him Wednesday as a hero who enlisted in the Army just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He had 13 weeks left on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

“He said, ‘No, Dad, if I don’t go back, someone will have to take my place,’” recalled Kynoch’s father, Paul. “It was his belief and he was fighting for that belief the American way.”

The Department of Defense did not release additional information about the attack, but said Kynoch is believed to be the only person who died.

Kynoch was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in Fort Stewart, Ga. His family said his funeral would most likely be held next week.