Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm

Died November 4, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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22, of Flagstaff, Ariz.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Nov. 4 in the Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

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Marine deaths down range under investigation

Staff report

Military officials in Afghanistan are investigating the deaths of two California-based Marines, the Defense Department said.

Lance Cpls. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, and Matthew J. Broehm, 22, were killed Nov. 4 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, according to a news release. Pearson, of Arvada, Colo., and Broehm, of Flagstaff, Ariz., were assigned to Camp Pendleton’s 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.

Military officials have said they are investigating Taliban claims that an Afghan soldier killed three U.S. troops on Nov. 4 in Helmand’s Sangin district, where 3/5 Marines are based, according to reports. It’s unclear whether these incidents are related.

Agence France-Presse has reported that a NATO official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Marines had been shot by an Afghan soldier who had been on the base for two to three weeks and was now missing.

More information was not immediately available.