CONOVER, Wis. (AP) -- One of the five soldiers killed in an insurgent attack this week in Afghanistan was from northern Wisconsin.

The U.S. Department of Defense said Wednesday that 36-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew West was among five soldiers who died when insurgents attacked their unit with explosives in the Arghandab River Valley Monday. All five were based at Fort Carson, Colo. West was assigned to the 71st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group.

The Department of Defense lists West's hometown as Conover in Vilas County.

West's sister, Kristine Willis, tells a Traverse City newspaper that her brother was a 1992 graduate of Gaylord High School in Michigan. She says West is survived by his wife and three children.