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Vancouver Marine killed in Afghanistan

Sgt. Jason D. Peto died Dec. 7 from wounds received Nov. 24

By Tom Vogt, Columbian Science, Military & History Reporter
Published: December 8, 2010, 12:00am

A Marine from Vancouver died Tuesday as a result of wounds from hostile fire in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Jason D. Peto, 31, was injured on Nov. 24 during combat operations in Helmand province, the Defense Department announced Wednesday.

Peto is the son of Janie and Ernie Peto of Vancouver. He married his high school sweetheart, Tiffany Dillmon Peto; she is a Vancouver resident.

Peto’s mother-in-law, Paula Dillmon, said he died at the U.S. Navy’s medical center in Bethesda, Md., near Washington, D.C.

He was a rifleman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Peto enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 13, 2004. This was his third combat deployment, according to a spokesman for the 1st Marine Division.

Four years ago, Peto was wounded in Ramadi, Iraq, during a combat tour with the 7th Regiment.

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Peto attended Mountain View High School and Clark College before enlisting in the Marines.

“His father was a Marine, and it was his goal to be a Marine,” Dillmon said of her son-in-law.

Peto is the second serviceman from Clark County to die in Afghanistan this year. Army Chief Warrant Officer Jonah D. McClellan, 26, died on Sept. 21 in a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine troops.

Peto is at least the 21st soldier, Marine or civilian contractor with Clark County ties who has been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan or Kuwait since 2003.

Since Oct. 8, Peto is the 20th member of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment to die as a result of hostile action in Helmand province.

According to news reports, the 3rd Battalion is fighting insurgents for control of Sangin, which is the last major population center in Helmand province under Taliban control.

The battalion deployed to Sangin in October, shortly after British forces relinquished command of the area after suffering heavy casualties.

In a statement from the Camp Pendleton public affairs office, the division said: “The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division mourn the loss of Sgt. Peto. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.”

Tom Vogt: 360-735-4558 or tom.vogt@columbian.com.

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Columbian Science, Military & History Reporter