Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald

Died October 13, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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21, of Albany, Ore.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Also killed were Marines Cpl. Justin J. Cain, Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge and Pfc. Victor A. Dew.

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4 Pendleton Marines killed in Helmand IED blast

By Gidget Fuentes

Staff writer

Four members of the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, died Wednesday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced.

The Marines were killed by an improvised explosive device while they were conducting mounted operations, the 1st Marine Division said in statements that also expressed condolences to the Marines’ families.

The Marines killed:

* Cpl. Justin J. Cain, 22, of Manitowoc, Wis.

Cain, a machine gunner, had enlisted in June 2007. His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

* Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald, 21, of Albany, Ore.

The machine gunner, who enlisted in November 2007, was on his first combat deployment. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. His family told the Albany Democrat Herald newspaper that their son, a former high school wrestler and track-and-field athlete, was engaged to be married he would have turned 22 on Oct. 26.

* Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge, 19, of Saint Charles, Mo.

The anti-tank assaultman joined the Corps in September 2009. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

* Pfc. Victor A. Dew, 20, of Granite Bay, Calif.

Dew was an anti-tank assaultman on his first deployment since he enlisted in September 2009. He has been awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

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Body of Albany Marine returns home

The Associated Press

ALBANY, Ore. — The body of an Albany Marine who was killed in Afghanistan has arrived back home.

The Albany Democrat-Herald says the casket of 21-year-old Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald was flown to Eugene Airport on Wednesday, then taken to a funeral home in Springfield. He was killed Oct. 13 by a roadside bomb while in a convoy.

Several services and events are planned this weekend to honor Rodewald, including a service Saturday that Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expected to attend.

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‘Very special kid’ idolized Oregon football

The Associated Press

Joe Rodewald grew up in a small town not far from the University of Oregon in Eugene.

When he graduated from South Albany High School several years ago, he was such an avid fan of the UO football team that he was voted “Most Devoted Duck Fan” by his senior class.

“He was a very special kid,” said Rodewald’s high school football coach Andy Lusco.

On Oct. 13, Rodewald, 21, was killed in combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton.

“He grew into being one of the finest young men I ever coached,” Lusco said.

KVAL-TV in Eugene reported that hundreds of people attended Rodewald’s memorial service at an Albany church last month, including Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Oregon football coach Chip Kelly.

“I recognize there are dignitaries here like the governor,” said Rodewald’s father John Rodewald. “And it’s hard to say that right up there is head coach Chip Kelly.”

Rodewald would have been “so excited” to know the Oregon football coach would attend his memorial, his father said.