Temecula Marine killed in Iraq returns home

HEMET, Calif. (KABC) -- The remains of a Marine from Temecula, who was killed in Iraq, were returned this weekend.

The remains of Staff Sgt. Louis Cardin were returned Saturday afternoon to March Air Force Base and escorted to a funeral home in Hemet.

Defense officials say the 27-year-old was killed on March 19 when rocket fire hit his unit at a base outside of the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul.

Cardin is the first U.S. serviceman killed in Iraq this year. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

A public viewing will be held on Friday at Temecula's City Hall Town Square.

"The City of Temecula is deeply saddened to learn that one of our hometown high school graduates, who grew up to be the bravest of warriors, died protecting our Nation's freedoms," said Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar in a statement. "Cardin is forever a hero to Temecula and to our Nation."