Marine Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer

Died June 25, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

23, of New Braunfels, Texas; assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; died June 25 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Twentynine Palms-based Marine killed in Afghanistan

Staff report

A California-based Marine died June 25 while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced today.

Sgt. Thomas Z. Spitzer, 23, of New Braunfels, Texas, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, according to a Defense Department news release.

Spitzer was conducting operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province at the time of his death. His death is not under investigation. The Defense Department did not immediately release additional information about the incident.

A memorial post on the Facebook group Sangin Valley Gun Club has drawn many well wishes to Spitzer’s family from veterans who served with him.

His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.