Lance Cpl. Marcus M. Cherry, a rifleman, died Tuesday in the Anbar province, which has seen an outburst of violence between insurgents and U.S. troops.

His mother, Genevieve King, told the Imperial Valley Press that her son was among 12 Marines killed in combat in the Iraqi city of Ramadi.

Cherry graduated from Imperial High School last year, after having played on the varsity football team.

"He was very serious about graduating from high school and joining the Marines," said Imperial High School vice principal Steve Cato, who coached Cherry in football.

Cherry was inspired to join the Marines by his older brother, who was a member of the Corps, Cato said.

"He was going to be a good citizen, a good Marine," Cato said.

Cherry joined the Marine Corps on June 9 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines Echo Co. His stepfather, James Tyler, said Cherry was an infantryman and a fire team leader.

His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal.

Cherry's brother, Andre, was also deployed to Iraq and was en route home to Imperial following the death of his brother, Tyler said.