A 20-year-old Kaneohe Marine was killed Saturday during combat in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon said yesterday that Lance Cpl. Alfonso Ochoa Jr. of Armona, Calif., died while supporting combat operations in Farah province. He was assigned to Kaneohe's 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which has been in southern Afghanistan since May.

Ochoa is the ninth Marine from the Warrior battalion to be killed since the deployment began.

Ochoa joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 13, 2008, and reported to Kaneohe six months later.

His awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.