Reports: Marine from New Bethlehem killed in Afghanistan

June 9, 2011

NEW BETHLEHEM — A local Marine who was a graduate of Redbank Valley High School, New Bethlehem, was killed Monday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Joseph M. Garrison, 27, of New Bethlehem, was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force of Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to the 2D Marine Division Public Affairs.

According to The Leader Vindicator of New Bethlehem, Garrison enlisted in the Marine Corps a few months after his graduation from Redbank Valley in 2002. The Marines said he was promoted to sergeant in October 2007.

The Marines also said Garrison — son of Natalie Schoonover of DuBois and Joseph David Garrison of Hittedal, Minn. — had been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom four times: From November 2004 to June 2005, from January to May 2006, from May to August 2009 and most recently this past January.