Pendleton Marine Killed in Afghanistan

A Camp Pendleton Marine died Sunday while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, 1st Marine Division officials said in a release.

Corporal Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Tulsa, Okla., died Jan. 15 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.

Bateman began serving in the Marine Corps, Feb. 25, 2008. This was his first combat deployment. He also deployed once with a Marine expeditionary unit.

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal for International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan.