A San Diego-based Seaman and a Marine were killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan last week in an apparent case of mistaken identity,
U.S. military officials told MSNBC.
Navy Corpsman Benjamin Rast, 23, a medic from Michigan and Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith, 26, of Arlington, Texas died April 6 in Helmand province.
The Hellfire missile was fired from a U.S. Air Force Predator in what appears to be a case of mistaken identity,
Rast Smith and were on patrol northeast of Patrol Base Alcatraz in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Rast's father told WNDU last week that he feared his son might have been killed by friendly fire.
The 23-year-old’s high school girlfriend told a Michigan television reporter that Rast studied law enforcement and always dreamed of becoming a sailor.
Rast was stationed at Naval Medical Center, Expeditionary Medical Force Detachment. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 2009. His awards included National Defense Service Medal, Pistol Markmanship Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
