U.S. ARMY RESERVE Staff Sgt. Frank Tiai, 46, was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He is survived by his wife; a son, 19; and a daughter, 6.

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Soldier in 442nd
is killed in Iraq

Frank Tiai is the first
Army reservist of the
442nd to die in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Frank F. Tiai was scheduled to return home from Iraq to Pago Pago, American Samoa, on leave for rest and relaxation this week.

But the 46-year-old Army reservist was killed Sunday morning by a roadside bomb in Iraq, becoming the first Army reservist of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, to die in combat In that country.

Tiai, a member of Company C of the 100th Battalion, also became the fourth member of the 29th Brigade Combat Team to be killed in Iraq.

Tiai was in the third vehicle of a convoy patrolling along "Route Raider outside Logistics Support Area Anaconda" when an improvised roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle.

Army Reserve officials notified Tiai's family early Sunday morning. He is survived by his wife and two children, a son, 19, and a daughter, 6.

Tiai's family in American Samoa declined comment. Funeral arrangements are pending.