The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Kaneohe Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard was a rifleman and deployed to Afghanistan in May, according to a statement issued by the Marines in Kaneohe this morning.

Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine, died Aug. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
Bernard was a rifleman and deployed to Afghanistan in May, according to a statement issued by the Marines in Kaneohe this morning.
He joined the Marines in November 2006 and reported to the "2/3" in May 2007. Bernard previously deployed to Iraq with the 2/3 in January 2008.
His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to the Marines.