Three Hawaii Marines killed by allies in Afghanistan
A Marine carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Scott E. Dickinson, 29, of San Diego, Calif., as the remains of Cpl. Richard A. Rivera Jr., 20, of Oxnard, Calif., background, sits on a loader, Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Defense Department, Dickinson and Rivera Jr., died Aug. 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Three Hawaii Marines were killed Friday in southern Afghanistan on a day when six U.S. Marines apparently were killed by Afghan allies as the number of so-called “green-on-blue” attacks continue to rise.
The Marines were assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force at Kaneohe Bay, officials said.
They were deployed with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The Marines identified the three as Staff Sergeant Scott E. Dickinson, 29, of San Diego, Calif.; Cpl. Richard A. Rivera Jr., 20 of Ventura, Calif.; and Lance Cpl. Gregory T. Buckley, 21, of Oceanside, N.Y.
Dickinson was an embarkation chief with Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment and was deployed as a logistics adviser as part of an Afghan National Civil Order Police Garrison Advisory Team.
His personal awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, NATO International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal and a Certificate of Commendation.
Rivera was a supply noncommissioned officer with Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment and was deployed as a logistics and facilities adviser, also as part of the advisory team.
His personal awards include Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal.
Buckley was a supply clerk with Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Regiment and was deployed as a logistics and facilities adviser as part of the advisory team.
His personal awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, NATO International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Medal and a Letter of Appreciation.
The Marines are recommended for the Purple Heart Medal, the Corps said. Officials said the incident is under investigation.
