The Stamford Times -- An Army private from Wilton was killed Sunday in Iraq when an explosive device blew up near his patrol, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.

Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras, 19, died in Bagubah when the bomb detonated near his patrol, which was dismounted, military officials said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell ordered that U.S. and state flags remain at half staff to honor Madaras and Marine Lance Cpl. Philip A. Johnson, 19, of Enfield, who was also killed Sunday in Iraq.

Madaras was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Carson, Colo.

"This is a tremendously sad day for Connecticut," Rell said. "In fact, combined with our recent loss of Marine Cpl. Jordan Pierson, the past several days have been very sad ones for the people of our state."

Governor Rell Statement on Army PFC Nicholas A. Madaras of Wilton: Governor M. Jodi Rell today ordered U.S. and state flags to remain at half staff to honor Army PFC Nicholas A. Madaras, 19, of Wilton, and Lance Cpl. Philip A. Johnson, 19, of Enfield.

PFC Madaras was killed on September 3 in Bagubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol during combat operations. Army PFC Madaras was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based in Fort Carson, Colorado. Lance Cpl. Johnson was killed September 3 while his unit was in Ramadi, Iraq.

"This is a tremendously sad day for Connecticut," Governor Rell said. "In fact, combined with our recent loss of Marine Cpl. Jordan Pierson, the past several days have been very sad ones for the people of our state.

"Words cannot express the sense of loss we feel today, but by honoring PFC Madaras and Lance Cpl. Johnson's memory and by celebrating their lives and their selfless service, we can show our gratitude to these courageous heroes.

"Army PFC Madaras and Lance Cpl. Johnson were killed while protecting what each of us cherishes so dearly: our freedom. They made the ultimate sacrifice for each of us, and for that we owe them a debt of gratitude which we can never fully repay. The State of Connecticut's thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends."

On August 26, Governor Rell ordered flags to be lowered to half staff to honor Marine Corporal Jordan C. Pierson of Milford, who was killed in combat in Iraq.

At the Governor's direction, flags will remain at half staff until Army PFC Madaras and Lance Cpl. Johnson have been interred.