Los Angeles Daily News -- PALMDALE - A Palmdale man was among the four soldiers killed in combat Saturday in Baghdad, Defense Department officials said Tuesday.

Sgt. John E. Allen, 25, and the three others died when a roadside bomb detonated near their vehicle.

All four soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Allen was a health care specialist who joined the Army in July 2001. Allen is survived by his wife, Army officials said.

Allen's military awards and decorations include a Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Army officials said.

Also killed in the incident were Sgt. Ed Santini, 25, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico; Pfc. William N. Davis, 26, of Adrian, Mich; and Pfc. John F. Landry Jr., 20, of Lowell, Mass.

All four soldiers were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Fort Bliss will be holding a memorial service for the four soldiers April 21.

The soldiers were deployed overseas in late October to provide stability and security operations, Army officials said.