Marine's death under investigation

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the death of a Cherry Point Marine in his barracks on Sunday night.

Pvt. Timothy W. Koundry Jr. was found in his barracks room around 7:45 p.m., according to a release from Cherry Point. Emergency personnel were called, but Koundry was pronounced dead at the scene.

Koundry was an intermediate aviation ordnance technician assigned to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 at Cherry Point, according to the release.

His command and NCIS are conducting investigations into Koundry’s death, according to the release.

Mike Barton, spokesman at Cherry Point, said that it is standard for the Marine Corps to conduct two investigations, one being a unit or command investigation and the other being an NCIS investigation. He said there is no estimate on when those investigations would be completed.

“The whole process could take days or it could take months,” he said.

Koundry entered the service from Ansonia, Conn., on April 28, 2008. He graduated from recruit training at Parris Island, S.C., and attended the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in Pensacola, Fla., before being assigned to MALS-14, according to the release. He had not served any tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Koundry’s awards include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Meritorious Mast, according to the release.

According to his obituary from Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home in Ansonia, Conn., Koundry was 22 and played football, baseball and basketball before graduating from Ansonia (Conn.) High School in 2007. He enjoyed paintball, fishing, skateboarding and Civil War re-enactments. It mentions Koundry’s lifelong dream was to become a Marine.

The online guestbook was filled with sympathy messages for his family in Connecticut and personal recollections.

“Timmy was a great friend and person, always looking out for you, always putting a smile on someone’s face,” wrote Merissa Lawlor. “He will be greatly missed.”