CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine was killed Sunday in Afghanistan in a mortar attack on Camp Blessing, a U.S. forward operating base near Asadabad, Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Steven A. Valdez, 20, of McRea, Ark., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, according to a Defense Department news release.

Marines at Camp Blessing reported receiving enemy mortar, rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms fire, and Valdez was killed in the attack, the release said.

Coalition forces responded with mortar fire and close air support, it stated.

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