4 Marines killed in combat

Four more of the city’s adopted “Thundering Third” Marines have died in Afghanistan, officials said.

Sgt. Brandon Bury, of Grand Prairie, Texas; Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez, of Bridgeton, Mo.; Cpl. Donald Marler, of Harlingen, Texas; and Sgt. John Rankel, of Indianapolis were killed last week in combat, said officials with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation.

The city adopted the Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton in 2005.

The foundation has been supporting the Marines and their families with care packages, welcome-home activities, assistance for the wounded and programs for families when the troops are deployed.

The Thundering Third was deployed in April and is expected to be in Afghanistan through November, said foundation Executive Director Cindy Cross.

Three Marines were killed in combat in May.

The battalion has been twice deployed to Iraq since its adoption.

The foundation is accepting condolence cards, which will be passed on to the families of the Marines. The cards will be mailed Tuesday.

Cards can be mailed to Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation, 19744 Beach Blvd., No. 528, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

Cards should be addressed to:

• The parents of Sgt. Brandon Bury

• Mrs. Brandon Bury

• The parents of Cpl. Donald Marler

• The father of Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez

• The mother of Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez

• The father of Sgt. John Rankel

• The mother of Sgt. John Rankel