Sierra Vista Marine killed in Afghanistan

Posted Nov 8, 2010

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

FacebookLance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs (right).
FacebookBraggs

Lance Cpl. Randy R. Braggs, 21, of Sierra Vista, died Saturday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Department of Defense said Monday.

Braggs was a graduate of Buena High School, according to his Facebook page.

He had deployed to Afghanistan at the end of September, according to his posts.

Braggs was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Another 3/5 Marine, Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, died Nov. 4 during combat operations in Helmand. Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, Colo., was also killed in the incident. The Department of Defense says their deaths are under investigation.

Braggs' Marine unit has suffered heavy casualties since being deployed in the Sangin District. Thirteen members of the 3/5 have been killed since Oct. 8.

Braggs is the 49th member of the military with Southern Arizona ties to die in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Todd Harris, 37, died in Badghis province last Wednesday of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.