A Marine from Kaneohe who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan has died, the Department of Defense announced today.

Lance Cpl. Noah M. Pier, 25, of Charlotte, N.C., died yesterday in Helmand province. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Pier was a machine gunner and his unit deployed to Afghanistan in November where they joined Regimental Combat Team 7 to conduct counterinsurgency operations with the Afghan National Security Forces to provide security for the Afghan people and promote development in their region.
The Kaneohe Marine base said Pier joined the Marine Corps in August 2007 and reported to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in February 2008. He previously deployed with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment to Iraq.
His awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.