Military releases details about Lejeune Marines killed in action

Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, 23, of Ludlow, Mass., and Sgt. Donald J. Lamar II, 23, of Fredericksburg, Va., died in hostile incidents while supporting combat operations in the Helmand province. The military did not say if the incidents were related.

Desforges was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. Lamar was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward. Desforges had deployed to Afghanistan in December, and Lamar in March.

Desforges was a squad leader who had been in the Marine Corps for nearly six years. He previously served in Afghanistan from March to September 2008.

He was promoted to sergeant on Jan. 1, 2008, and earned awards including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal.

Lamar was scout sniper team leader and had been promoted to sergeant on March 2. He joined the Marines in January 2006 and had served two tours in Iraq.

His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Lamar is survived by his wife.