USMC Identifies Marine Killed in Saturday ISIS Rocket Attack

By: Sam LaGrone
March 20, 2016 10:52 PM

USMC Identifies Marine Killed in Saturday ISIS Rocket Attack

The U.S. Marine Corps has identified the Marine who was killed during a Saturday Islamic State of Iraq and Syria rocket attack in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, 27, was killed in the March 19 attack at about 2:04 a.m. EST while “providing force protection fire support at a recently established coalition fire base near Makhmur in northern Iraq,” according to a Pentagon statement issued shortly after the strike.

Several other Marines were injured in the attack, according to the statement.

Cardin, a native of Temecula, Calif., was a field artillery Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to a statement from II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).

“His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, three Marine Corps Good Conduct medals, three Afghanistan Campaign medals, Iraq Campaign medal, National Defense Service medal, Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment ribbons,” read the II MEF statement.

Cardin’s death is the second U.S. combat death in the Operation Inherent Resolve collation fight against ISIS.

“We deeply mourn the loss of one of our own, Marine Staff Sergeant Louis F. Cardin. Staff Sergeant Cardin and the other Marines injured in the attack yesterday on the base near Makhmour in northern Iraq were there to provide force protection capability in support of the fight against Daesh (ISIS),” read a late Sunday statement from CENTCOM commander U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin.
“Staff Sergeant Cardin’s service and his many important contributions will long be remembered by his fellow Marines, his teammates at United States Central Command, and a grateful nation. Our gratitude and heartfelt condolences go out to this young man’s family and friends.”

The following are statements from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook, II MEF and U.S. Central Command on the death of Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin.

Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on U.S. Casualty in Iraq

Earlier today a U.S. Marine providing force protection fire support at a recently established coalition fire base near Makhmur in northern Iraq was killed after coming under ISIL rocket fire.

Several other Marines were wounded and they are being ‎treated for their varying injuries. ‎Additional identifying information will be provided after next of kin notification.

This is the second combat death since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve, and it reminds us of the risks our men and women in uniform face everyday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the service members involved, their families and their coalition teammates who will continue the fight against ISIL with resolve and determination.*** MEDIA ADVISORY***
II Marine Expeditionary Force Identifies Marine Casualty

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, 27, a Marine deployed with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and native of Temecula, Calif., was killed in action at approximately 2:04 a.m. Eastern Standard Time,

March 19, 2016, while conducting operations in Iraq in concert with Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.

Staff Sgt. Cardin joined the Marine Corps in June of 2006 as a field artillery Marine and is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, three Marine Corps Good Conduct medals, three Afghanistan Campaign medals, Iraq Campaign medal, National Defense Service medal, Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and three Sea Service Deployment ribbons.

Several other Marines are currently being treated for injuries in connection with the incident.

The loss of a service member greatly affects us all. This tragedy saddens II Marine Expeditionary Force and the 26th MEU. Our priority during this time is to provide care to the Marines’ families and loved ones.

Statement made by General Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Central Command:

TAMPA – “We deeply mourn the loss of one of our own, Marine Staff Sergeant Louis F. Cardin. Staff Sergeant Cardin and the other Marines injured in the attack yesterday on the base near Makhmour in northern Iraq were there to provide force protection capability in support of the fight against Daesh. Staff Sergeant Cardin’s service and his many important contributions will long be remembered by his fellow Marines, his teammates at United States Central Command, and a grateful nation. Our gratitude and heartfelt condolences go out to this young man’s family and friends.”

Cardin was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.