Two soldiers from the 3rd Marine Regiment at Kane'ohe Bay were killed in Afghanistan last week, the Department of Defense announced yesterday.

Maj. Rocco M. Barnes, 50, of Los Angeles, died June 4 of injuries when a vehicle he was in rolled over. Barnes was a member of the Tactical Command Post, 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, assigned to the 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force at Kane'ohe.

Lance Cpl. Joshua R. Whittle of Downey, Calif., died June 6. The Pentagon did not provide details. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Whittle, nicknamed "MD" because of his likeness to actor Matt Damon, arrived at Kane'ohe in 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan last month.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday issued a statement on Whittle, which read in part: "Joshua went above and beyond the call of duty, and his selfless dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Maria and I send our thoughts and prayers to Joshua's family, friends and fellow Marines as they mourn this devastating loss."

Schwarzenegger said California's flags will fly at half-staff for Whittle.