Camp Pendleton Marine Cpl. Michael J. Dutcher was killed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan yesterday, according to the Department of Defense. The 21-year-old Dutcher was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.
Dutcher was a native of Ashville, North Carolina. He had a twin brother named David Timothy Dutcher.
Sue Tripp worked with Teresa Dutcher, Michael's mother. She told the Citizen-Times:
"She's a dear friend and I knew the boys and I have children the same age so I can't even imagine her grief. We're all just kind of shocked."
Local television station WSPA-TV reports Dutcher was scheduled to return home next month. For more on the life of Micheal J. Dutcher, take a look at this special report from WSPA-TV:
