The Republican - Army Pfc. Kenneth J. Iwasinski, 22, a Belchertown resident, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Iraq in a Humvee on Sunday.

Iwasinski, who enlisted in the Army in March 2006, had been stationed for a year in Iraq and had been scheduled to return to this country, but his tour was extended, his father, Dominick V. Iwasinski, said yesterday.

"He felt he was making a difference," his father said. "In our eyes, he died a hero."

Dominick Iwasinski was informed of his son's death by the Army on Sunday and was provided with more details yesterday.

He said his son was an infantryman, serving as gunner in the Humvee patrolling in southern Baghdad when the bomb exploded near the vehicle. Dominick Iwasinski said he believes the other three soldiers in the vehicle were injured, but that has not been confirmed by the military.

Kenneth Iwasinski lived in a few communities in the Pioneer Valley while growing up. He attended high school, but dropped out and earned a high school equivalency diploma shortly before enlisting.

He was living with his father and his stepmother, Tawnia M., in Belchertown, at the time he enlisted, his father said. The Army lists a West Springfield home address.

"He helped build my house," Dominick Iwasinski said.

Kenneth's mother, Tracy J. Taylor, and his sister, Amanda Taylor, live in Chicopee.

Dominick Iwasinski said he and his son communicated often

"I talked with him 20 minutes before he went out on that mission," Iwasinski said. "He was ready to do what he needed to do and made sure he stayed on top of his game. We had talked about that quite a bit because he was coming to the end of his tour. I wanted to make sure that he stayed focused."

He said his son always had an interest in the Army.

"After 9/11 and the way things were going in Iraq, he felt it was his duty. He enlisted knowing full well that he was going to go to Iraq," Iwasinski said. "He was scared, like everybody else, but he was hoping that what he was doing was making a difference."

In Iraq, Iwasinski was stationed at a combat outpost and his job was patrolling. He was a gunner sometimes and drove sometimes. He was nominated for soldier of the month three times.

Iwasinski enlisted in the Army on March 8, 2006, and had been serving since July 2, 2006, with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colo.

He has been serving in Iraq since October 2006.

The Army said yesterday that he died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.

Funeral arrangements have not been set.

Dominick Iwasinski said he was concerned about his son going in the Army, but never tried to talk him out of it.

"I believe in what my son believed in. He believed in what he was doing, so I have to believe in what he was doing," Dominick Iwasinski said.