3 Marines, Military Dog Killed in Afghan Blaze

Sad news. The loss of lives of these fine US Marines and their faithful K-9 comrade saddens me. There are many dangers here in Afghanistan and fires in living quarters are always a danger in military camps.

Please pray for all our military and especially those that give their lives selflessly to defend freedom. These fine Marines and their K-9 shipmate are no less worthy of our reverence and respect as they were far from home and on duty when a tragic accident took them from their family and friends.


3 Marines, Military Dog Killed in Afghan Blaze
August 04, 2011
Jacksonville Daily News

The Department of Defense announced Wednesday the deaths in Afghanistan of three Camp Lejeune-based Marines assigned to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin, 29, of Moscow, Pa.; Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler, 26, of Brecksville, Ohio; and Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, of Dallastown, Pa., died July 31 in Herat Province, Afghanistan, according to DoD reports.

Dolphin, Kancler and Wrinkle were assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

According to MarSOC officials, the deaths were a result of a non-combat related incident that also left one Marine and one Soldier injured. Marine Corps Times reported that the three Marines and a military dog were killed when their living quarters caught fire in Afghanistan.

The incident is under investigation, officials said, and more information will not be released until the investigation is complete. The names of the injured troops have been withheld.

Jacksonville Daily News