A North Hills native trained as an Army Ranger and Green Beret who was assigned to the a special forces division died in Baghdad Wednesday. Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth, 24, of Shaler, died in a non-combat related incident, the Department of Defense said in a news release.

The Army is investigating his death, but preliminary reports indicate he was electrocuted while taking a shower, his father, Doug Maseth, said last night.

Staff Sgt. Maseth, who enlisted after graduating from Shaler Area High School in 2001, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and was serving his second tour in Iraq.

Doug Maseth said his son joined the military because he didn't know what he wanted to do in college.

"If I don't like the Army, I'll go to college," he told his father.

He eventually decided to make the Army his career, his father said, inspiring his two brothers in the process. Sgt. Maseth's twin brother Brandon later enlisted himself and is currently a sniper in the 82nd Airborne, and his younger brother, Adam, 21, is in the airborne infantry.

A former Marine himself, Doug Maseth said at one time, all three of his were fighting in Iraq.

"What I thought about every time they went to Iraq is I hoped I never have one of the Army soldiers knock at my door, and I didn't want to face the facts that it could happen," he said. "And it did."

His sons' serving in combat creates constant worry, but he said he supports their decisions.

"They chose that way of life and I support them, that's what they want to do with their lives," he said. "That is their job. They are going to do their job. It's like you or me going to work. I think that's the way they looked at it."

Sgt. Adam Maseth is currently home on leave and Sgt. Brandon Maseth is on his way home from Iraq, Doug Maseth said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.