Soldier from Fredericksburg is killed in Iraq

A Fredericksburg man who was an Army Ranger died Wednesday of wounds received by small-arms fire in central Iraq.

Cpl. Ryan C. McGhee, 21, and his unit were conducting operations to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide-bomber cell known to be operating in the area when they came under attack, the Army said in a statement.

McGhee was an automatic rifleman assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

"Cpl. Ryan McGhee's actions are in the finest traditions of this great regiment," Col. Richard D. Clarke, 75th Ranger Regiment commander, said in a statement.

"He continuously answered his nation's call, fighting the most tenacious, fanatical and resolute enemies of our country during multiple deployments to places where most would or could not go. His memory will not be forgotten by our Rangers."

McGhee was on his fourth deployment. The other deployments had been to Afghanistan, the statement said.

McGhee enlisted in the Army on Aug. 1, 2006, after graduating from high school in Fredericksburg.

McGhee is survived by his father, Steven McGhee of Myrtle Beach, S.C., his mother, Sherrie L. McGhee of Knoxville, Tenn., and his brother, Zachary, the statement said.

Contact Jamie C. Ruff at (434) 223-3678 or .