El Dorado County Marine dies in Afghanistan

By David Ruiz, Sacramento Bee

The Department of Defense announced Monday the death of a 27-year-old Marine from El Dorado in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote died Friday while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, the department’s release said. Mote was assigned to the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

Also killed in the incident were Capt. Matthew P. Manoukian, 29, of Los Altos Hills and Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Jeschke, 31, of Herndon, Va.

The incident is still under investigation, the release said.