FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Department of Defense has identified two more Fort Carson soldiers who have died in Iraq.

Pfc. Christopher D. Kube, 18, of Sterling Heights, Mich., died Saturday in Baghdad from wounds he suffered from an improvised explosive device, or IED, the Defense Department said Monday. He was on a mounted patrol when his vehicle hit an IED.

Kube was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colo.

During his Army career, Kube was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.

Kube got his parents' permission to join the Army at 17, a year earlier.

"He volunteered for that mission," his mother, Debbie Krupski, said Monday from the family's home, about 15 miles north of Detroit. "My son wasn't even supposed to be there."

Kube was a gunner and the only soldier killed in the explosion, Krupski told The Detroit News.

Kube's parents let him enlist in the Army at 17, and he shipped out to Iraq in October, one month after turning 18.

"He enjoyed the military," his mother said. "He always met the challenge."

She said she last saw her son in February when he was on leave. While home, he married his girlfriend, Tianna, whom he met in Colorado.

Krupski said Kube loved riding dirt bikes and deer-hunting with his father.

He was the oldest of five children. Other survivers include father David Kube, brothers John and Jason, and sisters Jessica and Jennifer.

Funeral arraignments were incomplete, his mother said Monday.

Soldier On Second Tour Killed

The Department of Defense also announced the death of Spc. Robert D. Varga, 24, of Monroe City, Mo., on Monday.

Varga died from a noncombat related incident that is currently under investigation. He was assigned to the 984th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion at Fort Carson.

Varga was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had previously served from January 2004 to January 2005.