A former Virginia Military Institute cadet was killed last week in Iraq after his patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense.

Army Specialist William McMillan III, 22, died July 8 of wounds suffered in the explosion.

McMillan matriculated with the Class of 2008, but left VMI near the end of the 2005 academic year. He was on the lacrosse team during his time at VMI, according to information from the school.

McMillan enlisted in the Army and was assigned as a medic to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division. His unit deployed to Iraq in December from its base at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

McMillan is the ninth former VMI  student to die in Iraq. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Currently, nine VMI cadets are  on active military duty. Three cadets are participating in military training and expect to be deployed soon. Two other cadets have notified VMI that they expect to be deployed with their National Guard units and will not return  for the fall semester.