Simi Valley Marine Killed During Iraq Mission

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SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA) — A U.S. Marine from Simi Valley was killed during a mission in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense.

(credit: Marine Forces, Special Operations Command)

Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, was a critical skills operator, according to the Marines Special Operations Command. He was fatally wounded on March 8 while accompanying Iraqi Security Forces during a mission to eliminate an ISIS stronghold in a mountainous area of north central Iraq.

Pongo was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Maryland native Capt. Moises A. Navas was also killed during the mission.