The Pentagon today announced the deaths of six Army soldiers in Afghanistan, including a 21-year-old specialist from San Diego.
Spc. Kenneth E. Necochea Jr. died Sunday when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Necochea was a graduate of Poway High School. He deployed to Afghanistan in June, according to published reports.
Others killed were Cpl. Sean M. Collins, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; Cpl. Willie A. McLawhorn Jr., 23, of Conway, N.C.; Spc. Patrick D. Deans, 22, of Orlando, Fla.; Spc. Jorge E. Villacis, 24, of Sunrise, Fla.; and Spc. Derek T. Simonetta, 21, of Redwood City.
All six were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
