Two of the four Americans killed Tuesday after an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, were former Navy SEALs from San Diego County.

Glen Doherty, 42, of Encinitas, and Tyrone Woods, 41, of Imperial Beach, were working at the diplomatic compound as security and intelligence contractors. Also killed were the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and information officer Sean Smith. Three others were wounded.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that Doherty and Woods “died helping protect their colleagues.”

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest gratitude are with their families and friends. Our embassies could not carry on our critical work around the world without the service and sacrifice of brave people like Tyrone and Glen,” she said in a statement.

The two former SEALs settled in San Diego County after initial training in Coronado, where all the elite naval special operators must pass a grueling 21-week test of mental and physical endurance.

Read the entire Union Tribune story here.