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West Palm Beach Marine Killed In Afghanistan

WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) - A South Florida soldier has died while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Wednesday night.

Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez, 19, was killed on December 14th while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Hernandez's sister called her brother "a true hero", telling CBS12 that he stepped on a landmine and before stepping off, he told his fellow marines to clear out the area. The mine exploded and the shrapnel proved to be fatal.

The West Palm Beach native was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Expeditionary Force out of Camp Le Jeune, N.C.

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