Polo Marine dies in Afghanistan

POLO – Flags are flying at half-staff and yellow ribbons are on display all over Polo today in honor of a hometown hero killed July 16 in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

U.S. Marines Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, 27, a 2001 graduate of Polo Community High School, was killed along with  21-year-old Cpl. Dave M. Santos of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific, Department of Defense officials said Monday.

The DOD said Bartelt died “while supporting combat operations.”

The men were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Bartelt is the son of Steve Bartelt and Jeannie Kyker, both of Polo.

No further information, including how the two were killed, has been released by military officials. Family members declined to comment Monday.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Polo Family Funeral Home.

Marines from Camp Lejeune started deploying last year to Afghanistan as part of a surge of forces to the central Asian country. In the past few months, the Taliban has ramped up attacks against troops.

June was the deadliest month for U.S. and international forces with the deaths of 103 service members, including 60 Americans. So far this month, at least 42 U.S. service members have died in Afghanistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.