StarBulletin.com

Three Kaneohe-based Marines killed in Afghanistan


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POSTED: Friday, August 07, 2009

Three Kaneohe Marines were among four killed yesterday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, the military said today.

They are: Sgt. Jay M. Hoskins, 24, of Paris, Texas. Lance Cpl. James D. Argentine, 23, of Farmingdale, N.Y. Lance Cpl. Travis T. Babine, 20, of San Antonio.

The fourth Marine killed was identified as Cpl. Christian A. Guzman Rivera, 21, of Homestead, Fla. The Pentagon said he was not from Kaneohe, but was originally from the 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, in Okinawa.

The three Kaneohe Marines were riflemen with the 3rd Marine Regiment’s 2nd Warrior Battalion which has been in Farah Province since May, according to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Hoskins joined the Marine Corps in August 2003 and reported to Hawaii January.

Argentine joined the Marine Corps in October 2006 and reported to Hawaii January 2007. He previously deployed with 2/3 from January to August 2008.

Babine joined the Marine Corps in June 2007 and reported to Hawaii last August.

Yesterday, the Marines announced that a 21-year-old Kaneohe-based sailor died Wednesday while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Christian Garcia was a hospital corpsman from Tyndall, Fla., according to Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Garcia joined the Navy in July 2006 and reported to Hawaii in February before deploying in May.