Long Island Marine Killed in Taliban Bombing in Afghanistan

What to Know

• Cpl. Robert Hendriks, 25, of Locust Valley, was one of three Americans killed in Monday's bombing near the main American base north of Kabul[hhmc]

• Christopher Slutman, 43, a 15-year FDNY vet and married father of 3 and Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, of York, Pennsylvania, were also killed[hhmc]

• The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack[hhmc]

A U.S. Marine from Long Island has been identified as one of the three victims who was killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan, the same attack that claimed the life of a veteran New York City firefighter, The Department of Defense announced late Tuesday.

Cpl. Robert Hendriks, 25, of Locust Valley, was one of the three Americans killed in Monday's bombing near the main American base north of Kabul, an attack for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility.

Christopher Slutman, 43, a 15-year FDNY veteran and married father of three, was also killed in the attack. The third victim was identified as Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines, 31, of York, Pennsylvania. Slutman, who worked with Ladders 27 and 17 in the Bronx, is survived by his wife and three young daughters.

Funeral arrangements for him are pending for the soldiers. They were assigned to 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.

FDNY Firefighter Killed in Afghanistan

In their claim of responsibility, the Taliban said they launched the attack and that one of their suicide bombers detonated his explosives-laden vehicle near the NATO base. The conflicting accounts could not be immediately reconciled.

Monday's U.S. fatalities bring to seven the number of U.S. soldiers killed so far this year in Afghanistan, underscoring the difficulties in bringing peace to the war-wrecked country even as Washington has stepped up efforRead More – Source

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