Military investigating Iraq death of Marine from Pennsauken

9:52 AM EDT, September 18, 2007

PENNSAUKEN, N.J.


Military officials said they are investigating the death of a Marine from New Jersey who died in Iraq last week.

The Department of Defense said in a statement that Terrence P. Allen, a Marine corporal from Pennsauken, died Saturday in a non-hostile incident in Anbar province; his parents, John and Connie Allen, had earlier reported that the 21-year-old had apparently been the victim of a sniper.

Allen was assigned to the Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at North Caroline's Camp Lejeune.

Allen's parents said their son was scheduled to return from Iraq this week, and had been talking with his parents hours before he died.

The former football player at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School enlisted in the Marines before he even graduated from high school in 2004.

Ellie