Holland Marine killed in Afghanistan

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - A 27-year-old Holland Marine, on his sixth deployment in the region, was killed in hostile action in Afghanistan on Sunday.

Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Price joined the Marines in 2003. He served three tours in Iraq and was on his third tour in Afghanistan, his parents Ruth and Karl told 24 Hour News 8.

Price and Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gifford were killed July 29 around 10:40 a.m. Afghanistan time while conducting combat operations in Badghis province Afghanistan, the US Marines said in a release. They were both assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, based at Camp Pendleton, California.

Ruth and Karl Price said their son put God first, was unassuming and shied away from praises like being called a "hero."

Price excelled as a Marine, moving up quickly through the ranks, soon earning a spot as a member of the special operations forces.

"He was very driven, very driven and that's the only way you succeed and get to the point where he was," said Karl Price.

His parents said he was a strong Christian who relied on his faith. He was awarded a Bronze Star with V for valor, and a Purple Heart after he was shot in the kneecap in July 2011. He was also awarded three Combat Action Ribbons and three Good Conduct Medals.

Price was the oldest of three - one brother, one sister - and was home schooled in Holland. As a teen, he worked at a neighboring farm and was active in 4H raising animals.

His parents said he was a strong Christian who relied on his faith.

"The most important thing of all with Dan is that he was a Christian and he belonged to his lord and savior Jesus Christ," said Karl Price.

He was already in the Corps when he married his wife Rachel here at home in 2006.

"Loved his wife, loved his family, loved his God," said Ruth Price.

And, family said, he knew the risks that came with serving country. Those who loved him taking comfort in the fact that his life, they believe, is part of a larger plan.

"We have no doubt now that he is with the Lord and he's happy, and he has no more pain, and he's finally home," said Karl.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Rep. Bill Huizenga released the following statement on Price's death:

"While the details are not clear, a hero from Holland has lost his life defending freedom. Let us all take a moment to remember Gunnery Sergeant Price's courage, dedication, and commitment to freedom. And let us also hold his family in our hearts and pray for the loved ones he has left behind."

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Members of the U.S. armed forces with known Michigan ties who died in 2012 supporting military operations in Afghanistan:

-- Marine Sgt. Justin Hansen, 26, a 2003 graduate of Kingsley High School, died July 24 after being shot while sweeping a house in Afghanistan.

-- Army Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Leach, 29, of Ferndale died June 26 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The cause of death wasn't immediately announced. He was part of the 1/334th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division based in Fraser.

-- Marine Pfc. Steven P. Stevens II, 23, of Detroit died June 22 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province. He was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

-- Army Sgt. Joseph Lilly, 25, of Flint died June 14 from injuries he sustained June 12 when he was hit by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan. He was a combat engineer serving with the 18th Engineer Company from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

-- Army Spc. Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, 21, of Salinas, Calif., died May 26 in in Kandahar province when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. His wife is from Muskegon, Mich. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.

-- Army Capt. Bruce Kevin Clark, 43, a former resident of Spencerport, N.Y, and Addison, Mich., died May 1 in Tarin Kowt. He was a nurse assigned to A Company, Troop Command at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. His wife was in Texas chatting with him via Skype when he collapsed.

-- Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City was killed Jan. 5 along with two other airmen when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Helmand province. He was part of the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.