Ambush Kills Va. Marine

Michael E. Johnson, who grew up in Virginia's Tidewater region, loved to laugh, cared about the outdoors and hoped eventually to work as a National Park Service ranger.

He was also Marine officer who was sent to Afghanistan about six weeks ago and was eager to help the people there, his father said.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Department of Defense said 1st Lt. Johnson, 25, died Tuesday in Kunar province while supporting combat operations in what his father said was an ambush.

Brian K. Johnson of Williamsburg said his son was born in Norfolk and graduated from Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Va. At Oregon State University in Corvallis, he studied natural resources and law enforcement.

One grandfather was a Marine veteran of three wars, and Johnson was commissioned in 2006, becoming a communications officer. He was stationed in Okinawa, joined by his wife, Durinda.

Assigned to train Afghan forces, he "was excited," his father said. "He believed in his mission." He "was an idealistic young man," his father said, "as strong and true as anybody you'd ever want to meet."