The Department of Defense has confirmed a Marine from New Prague, Minn. was killed this past weekend in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.
Lance Cpl. Dale Means, 23, was working as a gunner in a convoy when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the southern Helmand province on Sunday
DaleLyn Means said her son was riding in the second truck of a 15-truck convoy and was the only Marine to die in the attack.
Means graduated high school in 2007. He was on his first tour of duty after being deployed in July.
Means leaves behind his wife, Andrea. She graduated from New Prague High School with Means, and the two were married in October last year. Family members say the couple lived off-base at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, which is where Means was stationed.
Means' sister, JoLyn, said her brother enlisted because he "wanted to do something important in his life." His mother told FOX 9 News that her son loved being in the Marines at first, but couldn't wait for his tour to end after spending a few months overseas.
Means was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
