Marines Killed In Afghanistan Were Based At Fort Devens

AYER, MA — Three Marines killed in Afghanistan Monday were based at Fort Devens in Ayer. The soldiers were conducting combat operations in the Parwan province of Afghanistan when they were killed by a roadside bomb. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

The trio were assigned to the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. They were from New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Cpl. Robert A. Hendriks, 25, of Locust Valley, New York, joined the Marines right after he graduated from Locust Valley High School in 2012, according to NBC.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman, 43, was also killed in the blast. He was a New York firefighter for 15 years in the Bronx. ties to Delaware and was a 15-year FDNY veteran stationed in the Bronx. He also had roots in Prince George's County, Maryland where he began his firefighting career. Slutman is survived by his wife, Shannon, and three young daughters.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered flags to be flow at half staff in honor of the two New York Marines.

Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, of York, Pennsylvania was also killed in the bombing.

Monday's bombing also wounded three American service members an an Afghan contractor, military forces said.