NBC's David Bloom, who gained worldwide recognition for his live reports made while travelling north with the US Third Infantry Division in the early days of the war on Iraq, has died.

Bob Wright, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NBC, said in a statement: "On behalf of everyone at NBC, we are greatly saddened by death of David Bloom and our hearts go out to his wife Melanie and their three children. In times like these, a journalist's contribution to his country is measured in terms of illustrious commitment and sacrifice. There was no one more devoted to his calling than David Bloom and for that we are both grateful and humbled."

The thirty-nine year old journalist was about twenty-five miles south of Baghdad when he suddenly collapsed. NBC News confirmed that he received immediate medical attention but was pronounced dead after being airlifted to a nearby field medical unit. NBC News says that the apparent cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

NBC News President Neal Shapiro said: "David Bloom was an extraordinary man and dedicated journalist; his courage, passion, and unerring devotion to his craft was unparalleled. Over the past few weeks, we marveled as he demonstrated a tireless devotion to this story. At this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with David's family and all of our brave colleagues who remain overseas."

Bloom would have been forty next month. His duties at NBC News have ranged from being a reporter to anchoring editions of the network's weekend morning news show, Today.

Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO of NBC's parent company, General Electric, said: "All of us at GE are saddened by the untimely passing of our colleague David Bloom. Over the past few weeks, David's reporting of the war in Iraq has been outstanding and made us all proud. NBC News viewers have benefited from his tireless and fearless personal accounts of traveling with the Third Infantry Division. Our hearts and prayers are with David's wife Melanie, his three daughters, and his entire family during this difficult time."