Four 3/1 Marines killed in Afghanistan

The city’s adopted “Thundering Third” lost four more Marines killed while fighting in Afghanistan, officials said.

Four Marines in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines died in combat while stationed overseas, said officials of the Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation. Sgt. Brandon Bury, of Grand Prairie, Texas; Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez, of Bridgeton, Mo.; Cpl. Donald Marler, of Harlingen, Texas., and Sgt. John Rankel, of Indianapolis, Ind.; were killed last week in combat.

The city adopted the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines stationed in Camp Pendleton in 2005 by a City Council proclamation.

The foundation has been supporting the Marines and their families with care packages, welcome-home activities, assistance to injured Marines and programs for families when the Marines are deployed.

The Thundering Third was deployed in April and is expected to be in Afghanistan through November, said foundation Executive Director Cindy Cross.

Three Marines were killed in combat in May.

The battalion has been twice deployed to Iraq since its adoption.

The foundation is accepting condolence cards, which will be passed on to the families of the Marines. The cards will be mailed Tuesday.

Cards can be mailed to Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation, 19744 Beach Blvd., No. 528, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

Cards should be addressed to:

The parents of Sgt. Brandon Bury

Mrs. Brandon Bury

The parents of Cpl. Donald Marler

The father of Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez

The mother of Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez

The father of Sgt. John Rankel

The mother of Sgt. John Rankel