I don't generally have too many good words to say about most reporters, but I offer my highest praise and respect to this one:

Michael Weisskopf, a Washington-based senior correspondent for Time magazine, was seriously wounded in Baghdad late Wednesday when a grenade exploded in the U.S. Army Humvee in which he was a passenger. James Nachtwey, a Time contributing photographer, was also in the vehicle and was injured by the blast.

Weisskopf, 57, a former Washington Post reporter, likely saved the lives of his companions, including two U.S. soldiers, by attempting to toss the grenade from the vehicle before it exploded, said several people familiar with the incident.

The blast blew off Weisskopf's right hand, according to one account. He was taken to a military aid station in Baghdad and later to a hospital in the city, where he underwent surgery. A statement released by Time said he was in stable condition yesterday.

Nachtwey, 55, an award-winning photographer known for his images of combat and poverty, was hit by shrapnel. He was also in stable condition.

The two soldiers, from the 1st Armored Division, were also injured, but their identities and the nature of their injuries were not released by military officials yesterday.

The explosion apparently occurred after an attacker lobbed a grenade into the Humvee, which was on routine patrol with a second Humvee. The journalists were accompanying the patrol, according to a military spokesman quoted by the Associated Press.

Speedy recovery, Mr. Weisskopf. Well done.