A Marine from Hawaii has died in combat in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced today

Sgt. Matthew T. Abbate, 26, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died Dec. 2 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

While his hometown is listed as Honolulu, a family spokeswoman told the Fresno Bee that Abbate attended high school in Clovis, Calif.

Lisa Maria Boyles said Abbate, a married father of a 2-year-old boy, was on his third deployment.

His mother and stepfather, Karen and James Binion of Fresno, were notified of his death Thursday night, she said.

His father, Sal Abbate, and stepmother live in the San Francisco Bay area.

Funeral arrangements are pending.