UPDATED: Corbin High School graduate killed in Afghanistan

A Corbin High School graduate and U.S. Marine was killed in Afghanistan Thursday, an apparent casualty of an improvised explosive device.

Col. Rick McClure, the Senior Army Instructor with the High School’s JROTC program, confirmed Friday that Timothy Matt Jackson, 22, a 2007 graduate of the school, died yesterday.

"I was told he either stepped on or a vehicle he was driving got too close to an IED," McClure said. "Matt was a good kid. I am very sorry for his family. All he ever wanted to do when he graduated was join the Marines and serve his country and that’s what he did."

Jackson’s death was confirmed by the Department of Defense Friday afternoon. Lt. Col. Jackson died while conducting military operations in the Helmand Province, the release from the DOD said. He was with the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. The release did not provide any further details of his death.

McClure said Jackson was part of his ROTC program at the school.

His parents were notified of his death.

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