Department of Defense confirms death of infantryman

FORT DRUM — The U.S. Department of Defense on Saturday confirmed that Spc. Justin R. Pellerin, 21, of Boscawen, N.H., died Thursday in Afghanistan.

Spc. Pellerin — who was an infantryman with the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team — was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Wardak Province.

Spc. Pellerin joined the Army in June 2007 and arrived at Fort Drum in September 2007. He is survived by his wife, mother and stepfather.