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IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 826-11
September 27, 2011

DOD Identifies Marine Casualty

                The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

                Lance Cpl. Franklin N. Watson, 21, of Vonore, Tenn., died Sept. 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Company D, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Knoxville, Tenn. 

                For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-697-8309.