Military officials said Sgt. Richard A. Soukenka, 30, of Oceanside, Calif., and two other soldiers were killed Feb 27 in central Baghdad.
"Words cannot adequately convey our gratitude for Sergeant Soukenka's brave sacrifice for our country," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a statement released on Monday.
Also killed in the incident were Cpl. Lorne E. Henry, Jr., 21, of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; and Spc. Jonathan D. Cadavero, 24, of Takoma Park, Md.
The men were assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.