A Carmichael soldier is among the latest casualties in Iraq, U.S. Department of Defense authorities confirmed Saturday.

Pfc. Raymond N. Spencer Jr., 23, of Carmichael, died Thursday during an attack by insurgents in Baghdad, according to the Pentagon.

Spencer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas.
After spending much of his youth growing up in Carmichael, Spencer joined the Army in September 2005 and had been stationed in Iraq for nine months, according to Spencer's mother.

Spencer had been due to come home July 1 to attend his sister's wedding.