Lance Cpl. Alec R. Terwiske, 21, died September 3rd while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Terwiske was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton.
The Marine’s parent command was Inspector/Instructor Staff, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Terwiske grew up in Dubois County, Indiana. Local television station WFIE-TV spoke with Terwiske's loved ones about the man they described as "a giant teddy bear."
The lance corporal was on his first deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed. He was scheduled to return home in two months to celebrate the holidays with his family.
Terwiske's sister, Ashlee Gramelspacher, told WFIE:
"He was very optimistic about coming home, very sure of himself very sure he was coming home."
