For the third time in November, a Mainer has died while on duty in Afghanistan, officials said today.

Private Buddy W. McLain, 24, was killed by enemy fire on Monday, according to a statement from Gov. John Baldacci.

McLain was a cavalry scout with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

McLain’s wife and son live in the town of Peru, and his parents live in Mexico, said David Farmer, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci.

“Private McLain died serving his country,” Baldacci said. “He has earned the lasting gratitude of his State and nation. We will honor him for the hero that he is. During this tragic time, we all should keep his family and friends in our prayers.”

One of three brothers, McLain graduated from Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, school officials said.

When McLain entered high school, he didn’t like to read, said Bob Fulton, a special education teacher at Mountain Valley. By the time he graduated in 2006, McLain was a good student who was proud of his reading abilities and liked to read out loud in class, Fulton said.

After McLain joined the Army, he would visit the high school in uniform, carry himself with confidence and look people in the eye, Fulton said.

“It seemed like all of the sudden the light went on,” Fulton said.

“I join the people of Maine in honoring Private McLain’s legacy and in being forever grateful for his courageous service and selfless sacrifice to our country,” Sen. Susan Collins said in a statement.

Two other Mainers have died in Afghanistan this month.

Another soldier from the 101st, 20-year-old Spc. Andrew Hutchins of New Portland, died on Nov. 8 in Khost Province. Marine 1st Lt. James R. Zimmerman, whose parents live in Smyrna Mills, was killed Nov. 2 in Helmand province.