Marine from Camp Pendleton killed in Afghanistan
SAN DIEGO -- A Marine from Camp Pendleton has died during combat operations in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.
Lance Cpl. Matthew Rodriguez, 19, of Fairhaven, Mass., died Wednesday in Helmand province. He enlisted in August 2012.
A combat engineer, Rodriguez was assigned the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton.
His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.
Marines and sailors at Camp Pendleton mourn his death and “our heartfelt condolences go out to his family,” according to an official statement.
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Twitter: @LATsandiego
tony.perry@latimes.com
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