Five Lejeune marines killed in Iraq

Five Lejeune marines killed in Iraq
The Associated Press

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Five North Carolina-based Marines were killed over the weekend in Iraq's Anbar province, including four who died when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle during a combat patrol.

The Department of Defense said the four were killed Saturday when their Humvee was targeted.

They were identified as Lance Cpl. Derrick J. Cothran, 21, of Avondale, La.; Cpl. Pablo V. Mayorga, 33, of Margate, Fla. and Pfc. Ryan G. Winslow, 19, of Jefferson, Ala., all assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Justin D. Sims, 22, of Covington, Ky., who was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

A day earlier, Lance Cpl. Darin T. Settle, 23, of Henley, Mo., was killed in a non-hostile motor accident. He was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune.

Sims' father said he married in December 2004 just before leaving on his first tour in Iraq.

"He loved the Marines and what they stood for," Beechie Sims told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Justin Sims is survived by his wife, Leah, and six half-sisters, his father said.

Ellie