Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin B. Joyce

Died June 25, 2005 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

19, of Ganado, Ariz.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; killed June 25 when he fell into the Pech River while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.

Hawaii-based Marine drowns in Afghanistan

Associated Press

HONOLULU — A Hawaii-based Marine died last month in Afghanistan after he fell into a river from his unit’s vehicle and was swept away, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. Kevin B. Joyce, 19, of Ganado, Ariz., died June 25 after falling into the Pech River. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

Base officials said Joyce graduated from boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on Aug. 20 and arrived in Hawaii on Oct. 28. He was deployed with his unit to Afghanistan on June 2.

Joyce’s unit was returning to its base around 11 p.m when the vehicle was traveling on a road alongside the Pech River. The weight of the vehicle suddenly caused the edge of the road to collapse and the vehicle to slide, according to a release from the Marine Corps base.

Three Marines abandoned the vehicle including Joyce, who was swept away. The two others were saved or managed to get out of the river.

A large-scale search for Joyce ensued. His body was recovered nine days later near Torkham Gate, Afghanistan.

Joyce is survived by his mother.