Lance Cpl. Kevin Oratowski, 23, from Wheaton,IL, was serving in his first combat deployment was killed by a blast in southwest Afghanistan. Oratowski died Wednesday when he was caught in an explosion by an explosive device.
Oratowski graduated from Glenbard South High School, Oratowski’s family last spoke with him nearly two weeks ago. He planned to return to Wheaton for a visit in November, Carrie Oratowski said.
Oratowski enlisted in the Marine Corps June 23, 2008 and was serving in his first combat deployment. His sister said that joining the military gave Oratowski the sense of direction that he needed after graduating from high school.
‘My brother was kind of lost after high school, and he didn’t really know if he wanted to go to school. He decided to go join Marines and it was probably the best thing for him,’ she said.
Added Oratowski: ‘He was just a great guy, a great uncle…He loved the Marines.’
