The war on terror has once again struck close to home.

On Jan. 13 the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) reported that 21-year-old Nicholas Uzenski, a Marine from Tomball, was among three killed during a combat operation in Helmand province of Afghanistan Jan. 11.

According to the DOD, Cpl. Uzenski, Cpl. Jamie Lowe, 21, of Johnsonville, Ill., and Staff Sgt. Matthew Ingham, 25, of Altoona, Pa., were assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expenditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan.

While the DOD did not elaborate on the circumstances regarding the combat operation, the Washington Post reported on Jan. 12 about an offensive involving two Marine companies that took place near Bar Now Zad in Helmand province.

The Oneonta, N.Y. Daily Star reported that Uzenski was a 2006 graduate of Franklin High School in New York. According to the Pentagon, he began active duty in the Marine Corps on Jan. 15, 2008 and was promoted to the rank of corporal on Oct. 1, 2009.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal ISAF and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

“He was a tremendous asset to our battalion, Maj. John South, executive officer of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion said. “He will be missed.”

“He was a guy you naturally gravitated toward because you loved being around him,” Maj. Jordan Walzer, Uzenski’s officer in charge of Afghanistan, said. “We will sorely miss our brother.”

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