DaytonDailyNews.com

WEST MILTON — A local soldier was wounded in Iraq by a grenade blast that killed his best friend.

Ian Newland, 26, an Army sergeant on his second tour in Iraq, was wounded Monday by a grenade thrown into his Humvee in Baghdad.

His father, Rick Newland of West Milton, said the Humvee's driver was killed and two other soldiers injured.

Sgt. Newland, serving with the 126th Infantry out of Germany, suffered injuries to both legs, his face and left arm, shoulder and hand.

He called his father to say he had been wounded, but communication was hard; he is heavily medicated.

"I was so glad to hear him. He was alive," Rick Newland said Wednesday.

Newland has been treated in Balad, Iraq, and was expected to be airlifted to Germany. From there, he may be sent stateside for further treatment and for rehabilitation of his left hand, his father said.

Newland enlisted in 2003. He first served in Iraq from April 2004 to February 2005. His second tour there began in June.

Ian and his brother, Cory, 24, a specialist in the 1-77 Field Artillery Division, were in Iraq at the same time last year. Cory, at Fort Sill, Okla., is slated to return to Iraq in 2007. Their older brother, Justin Newland, 28, served in the Army for 10 years before completing service in June.