CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — An Okinawa-based Marine was killed Sunday in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.

Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho, was taking part in combat operations in the restive southern province of Helmand when he died. The DOD did not elaborate on the cause of his death.

Cochran was assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion of the 3rd Marine Logistics Group. The unit’s parent command, III Marine Expeditionary Force, did not immediately comment on the death, but said Wednesday morning it was planning to release a statement.

The Idaho Statesman newspaper reported that Cochran graduated from Parma High School in Idaho in 2010.

“Kenneth was a very nice young man who didn’t know any strangers. He was well liked and admired by his classmates and his fellow Marines,” according to a family statement on the newspaper’s website. “He and his bubbly personality will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”