An Idaho Marine was among two who died Sunday while supporting U.S. military operations in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran is at least the 61st Idahoan to die since the United States launched military actions after Sept. 11, 2001.

Cochran, 20, was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Okinawa, Japan.

Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Tulsa, Okla., also died. Details about the incident that took their lives were not available.

“Kenneth was a very nice young man,” his family said in a statement. “He was well-liked and admired by his classmates and his fellow Marines. ... He and his bubbly personality will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Cochran is survived by his father, former U.S. Marine George Cochran of Wilder; his mother, U.S. Army Captain Julia Cochran; sister, U.S. Army Specialist Joyce Cochran; brother George (Geo) Cochran; and sister Michael Cochran.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418