Lance Cpl. Curtis M. Swenson of Rochester, Minn., was killed in Helmand province, the Pentagon said.

He joined 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, as a mortarman with Weapons Company. His unit deployed to Afghanistan on Nov. 20, to conduct counterinsurgency operations with Afghan national security forces, according to the Marines.

He had a previous deployment to Iraq in 2008.

Swenson enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 2007 and attended the School of Infantry in September 2007.

His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the NATO-International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal.