CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An Okinawa-based Marine was killed Friday in Afghanistan, the second in two days to die in combat last week.

The Defense Department announced Monday the death of Capt. Matthew C. Freeman, 29, who was supporting combat operations in Kapisa province, located in northeast Afghanistan.

No details of the engagement in which he was killed were available Monday from the Defense Department.

Freeman, a graduate of the Naval Academy, was assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. He was a native of Richmond Hill, Ga.

Freeman began serving on active duty in the Marine Corps in May 2002 and he arrived on Okinawa in April 2008. A C-130 pilot, he was promoted to captain in December 2006.

He deployed to Afghanistan on July 23 on an embedded training team, according to Marine Corps Bases Japan Consolidated Public Affairs.

According to Savannah television station WTOC, Freeman followed his father’s footsteps in graduating from the Naval Academy. His sister is now attending the academy, according to the report.

The public affairs office on Okinawa did not respond Monday to Stripes’ requests for additional information concerning Freeman and a corporal who was killed last week.

On Saturday, the DOD reported the death of Cpl. Christian A. Guzman Rivera, 21, of the 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Expeditionary Force. He was from Homestead, Fla.

Guzman Rivera was one of four Marines riding in a convoy in Farah province when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb, according to the DOD.

In an interview with South Florida television station WFOR, Guzman Rivera’s mother, Velma Torres, said her son graduated from Homestead High School and trained as a firefighter and paramedic, but wanted something more challenging and joined the Marines.

"I gonna miss everything of him," she said, according to the report. "Everything. My heart is broken."

Migrated