KALB-TV Newschannel 5 -- FORT POLK -- A Fort Polk soldier was killed in Baghdad yesterday when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Specialist Jeffrey F. Nichols, 21, of Granite Shoals, Texas, was a field artilleryman assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, according to a news release by Samantha Evans, public information officer with JRTC & Fort Polk.

Nichols enlisted in the Army in September 2005 and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Okla. He was assigned to Fort Polk in December 2005.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Nichols is survived by his wife and son, of Marble Falls, Texas, and his Mother, of Granite Shoals.