An Okinawa-based Marine died Tuesday in Iraq of unknown causes, the Marine Corps said Saturday.

Sgt. Ralph A.W. Frietas, 23, of Detroit, died in Baghdad, and his is death is under investigation, according to a Marine Corps Bases Japan news release.

Frietas, a combat engineer, was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Frietas joined the Marines in 2004 and began his tour on Okinawa in June this year.

"He was a very good Marine, and it always hits hard when you lose one of your Marines," Maj. Victor A. Chin, executive officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, was quoted as saying in the release. "He will be missed."

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