Marine killed in Afghanistan was mother of 4

SAN DIEGO -- The Pentagon released the name Thursday of a 31-year-old Camp Pendleton-based Marine killed in combat this week in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Camella M. Steedley of San Diego died October 3 supporting combat operations in Helmand Province on Wednesday, according to the Department of Defense. Her cause of death is under investigation, military officials said.

Steedley was assigned to the Combat Logistics Regiment 17, a logistics battalion of the US Marines based out of Camp Pendleton.

She enlisted in December 2011.  Sher was an air operations clerk for CLR-17.  It's not clear how Sgt. Steedley died and what led the military to investigate.  Fox 5 News contacted the 1st Marine Logistics group and was told "she died while supporting combat operations.  No further information was provided.

The unit released the following statement:
The United States Marine Corps mourns the loss of one its own.  The Marines and sailors of 1st Marine Logistics Group mourn the loss of Sgt. Camella M.Steedley. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family.

                                                                                              - USMC

Steedley is a decorated marine who won many awards and recognitions. She has 11 awards including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (second award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal and National Defense Service Medal.  

She is the 150 female U.S. service member to die while supporting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  She's the 10th female to die in either campaign.  This was her first deployment.

Sgt. Steedley was married to Marine James Steedley  On his Facebook page, James recently created an album titled "This is my life."  He introduced his family.  The couple had four children.  James was also happy to share, just last week he and Camella enjoyed a picnic at the beach.

The Steedley family lives in San Clemente, James was not available for comment.  Fox 5 did reach Camella's family who lives in San Diego.  We spoke to her sister Crystal who told us "Camella was a mother, a daughter, a sister and she was my best friend."