FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- Four Fort Lewis soldiers, including one from Federal Way, died Tuesday after their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

According to the Department of Defense, Pfc. Dennis M. Williams of Federal Way, Cpt. John L.Hallett III, Cpt. Cory J. Jenkins, and Sgt. 1st Class Ronald W. Sawyer, were assigned to 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis.

Their unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in July.

More information about the soldiers:

Federal Way resident, 24-year-old Pfc. Dennis M. Williams enlisted in the Army in 2007 and reported to Fort Lewis in March 2008. This was his first duty station and his first deployment.

Cpt. John L. Hallett III, 30, of California, joined the Army in 2001. He first deployed to Iraq in February 2005 and served 13-months with the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division out of Hawaii. In November 2007, he reported to Fort Lewis.

Cpt. Cory J. Jenkins, 30, of Arizona, joined the Army in 2007 and attended the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course before he was assigned to Fort Lewis in March 2009. This was his first deployment and he served as a physician assistant.

Sgt. 1st Class Ronald W. Sawyer, 38, of Missouri, joined the Army in 1992. He spent three years overseas including time in Germany, a one-year tour in Korea, and deployments to Kosovo and Cuba.

He served many roles in the Army including as a medical specialists, squad leader and recruiter. He reported to Fort Lewis in November 2006.