Ryan C. McGhee, 21, Ranger From Fredericksburg, Va., Killed in Combat in Iraq

Ryan C. McGhee, 21, who grew up in Fredericksburg and became an automatic rifleman in the Army Rangers, was killed Wednesday by small arms fire during combat in central Iraq, the Pentagon said.

The corporal's unit was trying to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide-vest cell known to be operating in the area, officials said in a statement yesterday.

He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of Fort Benning, Ga.

After graduating from high school, McGhee enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2006.

McGhee, who was born in Pennsylvania, was on his fourth deployment; his three other deployments were to Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

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

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