A relative would not provide any information about Ortega when contacted Tuesday at the family's home in central Oxnard.
Edwards said Ortega was trained as a combat engineer and was a member of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
Ortega's battalion was training Iraqi security forces around Fallujah so they could prevent insurgents from gaining a foothold in the often-contested city, Edwards said. Some of the bloodiest battles fought by U.S. forces have been around Fallujah.
Edwards said Ortega was sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego after enlisting a year ago and spent 13 weeks in basic training. He then went to Camp Pendleton for combat training. From there, he went to combat engineering school.
While in the service, Ortega received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Edwards said.
The medal is issued to those who serve in military operations to combat terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001, according to a Department of Defense news release.
The medal was created through an executive order issued by President Bush. Ortega also received a National Defense Service Medal, Edwards said.
Ortega is the tenth U.S. service member from Ventura County to die in Iraq since the war began in March 2003.
