Marine From Arlington Killed in Afghanistan

A 26-year-old Marine Corps reservist from Arlington has been killed in action in Afghanistan.

A Defense Department statement issued Thursday says Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Smith died Wednesday in combat in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan.

Smith served three tours of duty before returning to North Texas for college. He still wanted to serve, so he enlisted in the reserves to help for school.

"He gave everything 150 percent, no matter what it was -- whether it was welcoming a new brother to the family, whether it was being there for his Marines -- he did everything 150 percent," said Tyler Schulte, Smith's brother.

Smith was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve based in Houston.

The Marine Corps has not released any other information on his death, saying it is under investigation. However, Smith's family said the U.S. Marine Corps gave they a report saying he was killed by friendly fire.

Smith was a light armored crewman who first joined in 2003, the Marine Corps said.

He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan, the Marine Corps said.

NBC DFW's Amanda Fitzpatrick contributed to this report.

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