By Khalida Sarwari
A 19-year-old Marina man was killed in battle in Afghanistan on Sunday, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Pfc. Conrado D. Javier Jr. was killed in the country’s Kandahar province after insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device, defense officials said.
The flags at the state Capitol in Sacramento are being flown at half-staff today for Javier.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offered his condolences in a statement issued this morning.
“Private First Class Conrado Javier served our country with bravery and honor, and his selflessness is a true inspiration,” Schwarzenegger said. “We will forever be indebted to this courageous soldier for protecting our freedoms.”
Javier was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment at Vilseck, Germany.