Dead Marines are identified

The Pentagon on Tuesday released the names of four Marines killed last week in Afghanistan, the largest number of Americans killed in a single incident in that country in months. The four, from the 2nd battalion, 7th Marine regiment, based here, were identified as Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington, 20, of Tacoma, Wash.; Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass, 22, of Richmond, Ind.; Pfc. David Pietrek, 24, of Bensenville, Ill.; and Pfc. Michael Robert Patton, 19, of Fenton, Mo.

The Marines were killed by a roadside bomb explosion near their Humvee as they were returning from a mission to take engineers to another location. The unit is assigned to assist and train security forces.