Marine Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr.

Died August 7, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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28, of Bakersfield, Calif.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Aug. 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Also killed was Marine Sgt. Joshua J. Robinson.

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Marine from Bakersfield dies in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Marine from Bakersfield who had survived a tour of duty in Iraq and previous combat experiences has been killed while fighting in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon reported Tuesday that 28-year-old Sgt. Adan Gonzales Jr. Bakersfield died Sunday after being hit by small arms fire in Helmand province. An 29-year-old Omaha, Neb. Marine, Sgt. Joshua Robinson, was killed during the same operation.

Both Gonzales and Robinson were members of Camp Pendleton's 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment which the North County Times says has lost at least nine men since the unit got to Afghanistan in late spring.

Father Chummar Chirayath of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church tells The Bakersfield Californian that Gonzales' survivors include a wife and young children.

He says Gonzales grew up regularly attending church and helping with Mass.