A Navajo Nation tribal member stationed in Iraq was killed in a surprise attack on Monday night.

Sgt. Lee Duane Todacheene, 29, is a nephew of Navajo Nation Vice President Frank Dayish Jr, who said he was "devastated" by the news.

Todacheene was serving as a medic in the Army�s First Infantry Division Task Force 1-77 AR LSA Anaconda Medic Unit. He is survived by his wife and his two young sons. The family is currently in Schweinfurt, Germany, where they have been stationed for the past two years.

Todacheene is believed to be the first Navajo in the military to die in Iraq. Lori Piestewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe, died last March. Sheldon Hawk Eagle, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, died last November.

Get the Story:
Nephew of Navajo Nation VP Killed in Iraq (AP 4/7)
Iraq War Hits Home (The Albuquerque Journal 4/8)