Cashion Marine Killed in Afghanistan

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A 20-year-old Marine from Cashion was killed in line of duty in Afghanistan.

A family friend said Jonathan Stroud was killed Thursday morning during a fire fight.

Stroud's close friend, Sam Boyd, said he's proud of Jonathan's service and sacrifice.

"He already had a high view of the United States as it was. Becoming a Marine was just, Jonathan was so spontaneous there was no reason behind it other than he wanted to do it," Boyd said.

Stroud joined the Marine Corp in May 2008 and was stationed in Afghanistan since June 1.

Stroud leaves behind his wife Lacie who is pregnant with the couple's first child. The baby is due in December.

Stroud graduated from Cashion High School and faculty said he was exceptionally intelligent. His former counselor said God gifted him with superior skills in reading and writing, enough that she said she didn't mind when he occasionally snuck into the teacher's lounge to grab a pop.

Those who remember Stroud in high school said he was goofy and gangly, and that's the way they liked him.

"Probably one of the most honest, dorkiest, nicest guys you could possibly meet," Boyd said.

A family friend said Stroud's mother and sister will meet his wife in North Carolina. They'll bring his body back to Cashion for burial.