USMC reports Birchfield killed in Afghanistan

CAMP PENDLETON- The United States Marine Corps reports that Lance Corporal Joshua H. Birchfield was killed by small arms fire while on a dismounted patrol conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Friday.

Birchfield, a 24-year-old rifleman from Westville, Ind., was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Birchfield enlisted in the Marine Corps April 14, 2008. This was his first deployment.

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Natio...