Gov. Jerry Brown has ordered flags above the state Capitol lowered to half-staff in honor of fallen Camp Pendleton Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, 19, was killed Dec. 11 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan during combat operations, according to the Department of Defense.
Brown released a statement today that reads, in part:
"On behalf of all Californians, Gov. Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The governor and first lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time."
Rodriguez grew up in Fairhaven, Mass. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton.
Rodriguez enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 20, 2012.
He was posthumously awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO Medal-International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan.
