Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm, 22, of Flagstaff, Ariz.

LCpl Broehm was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Nov. 4, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Williams resident Jim Lang said his stepson, Lance Cpl. Brian Pawlicki, 20, enlisted with Lance Cpl. Broehm at the same time on the Marine Corps "buddy plan." The two were supposed to go through training together; however, Broehm ended up going to boot camp before Pawlicki. Broehm arrived in Afghanistan before Pawlicki. He added that his stepson was in Afghanistan a short time when his friend was killed.

The two men have known each other for years, Lang said. Broehm was best man at Pawlicki's wedding. They decided to serve their country together and only the Marines would do.

Lang remembered Broehm as a young man who was a youth leader at the First Baptist Church, a musician and a martial arts teacher. "He was just a fantastic young man," Lang said. "He was your typical good Christian kid -- always brought a smile to people's faces."

"He was devoted to God and his country," the family stated in information to the mortuary. "His desire was that others would know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His biggest dream was to become a youth pastor and to share Jesus Christ with all youth."

According to information from the U.S. Department of Defense, a second Marine, Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, Colo., was also killed in the attack.

"Initial reporting indicates that while conducting routine security post operations, shots were allegedly fired at the Marines by an Afghan National Army soldier, who then fled the scene," according to the release from Regional Command Southwest.

Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, commander of Regional Command Southwest, stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and unit members of these fallen Marines. We offer our deepest sympathies and want to ensure all know the sacrifices these Marines have made in our commitment to the safety and security of the Afghan people."

According to the release, a joint investigation is being conducted by the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan National Security Forces.

Broehm enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 4, 2007. This was his first combat deployment, a Marine Corps spokesman said.

His service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Lance Cpl. Broehm leaves behind his wife, Lianna, father Douglas, mother Christine, a sister and two brothers.

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm was killed in action on 11/04/10.