KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Flags Flown at Half-staff to Honor Valley Marine

Flags Flown at Half-staff to Honor Valley Marine

Kings County, Calif.  (KMPH News) - A South Valley Marine makes the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Alfonso Ochoa Jr. of Armona was killed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the 20-year old died on Saturday, during combat operations in the Farah province of Afghanistan.

Just hours after U.S. Military officials made his death public, political leaders recognized Ochoa with a time-honored symbol of their appreciation and respect.

At the request of the U.S. Marine Corps League in Kings County, Supervisor Tony Barba lowered the Marine Corps Service flag to half-staff.

Ochoa's name will also be added to the Veteran's Wall at the County Government Plaza.

"There are 773 names on [the wall], he'll be 774 on this list.  Those are people that have lost their lives in uniform from Kings County," Supervisor Barba said.

Word of Ochoa's death spread quickly in his hometown of Armona.

"Anybody who dies in that war is a special American," U.S. Veteran Bill Raven said.

At Raven's Deli, a popular hang-out for military personnel and their families, Bill Raven described Ochoa as a hero.

"His parents as sad as it is for them, they can be so proud and they can say, my son gave his life for something that he loved," Raven said.

Lance Corporal Ochoa attended Hanford West High School.  He was scheduled to graduate with the Class of 2008.  But, he left in the middle of his senior year to complete his education at Hanford Adult School in December of 2007 so that he could enlist in the Marines.

"I believe he felt this is what he needed to do, this was his calling," Principal Bobby Peters said.  "I collect stories to share with other students about success stories and about kid's who have made it, he was one of them."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement regarding the death of the South Valley Marine:

"Lance Corporal Alfonso Ochoa was a brave young man whose commitment to serving his country will always be remembered.  Maria and I are grateful for his service and sacrifice and the service of all our armed forces.  We send our condolences to all of Alfonso's loved ones who are mourning this terrible loss."

Funeral arrangements are underway.  Ochoa is survived by his wife, parents and an extended family.