Story by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDol, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The remains
of seven Marines and a Sailor recovered Aug. 7 off the coast of San
Clemente Island following a July 30 assault amphibious vehicle mishap
were transferred Aug. 12 to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, from Marine
Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
Six pallbearers of Marines and Sailors escorted each casket aboard a
U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III bound for Dover AFB for final
preparation for burial before being released to their families for final
arrangements.
Transferred were:
Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona, California
Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California
Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California
Pfc. Jack-Ryan Ostrovsky, 20, of Bend, Oregon
Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 22, of Harris, Texas
Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 18, of Portland, Oregon
Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California
The remains of Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 19, of New Braunfels,
Texas, who also died in the AAV mishap July 30, were transferred to
Dover AFB on Aug. 5 from MCAS Miramar.
The ages of the deceased have been updated, as a previous press release listed them incorrectly.
Gnem was posthumously advanced to the rank of petty officer third class
and posthumously awarded his enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare
Specialist qualification, having met the criteria set by the Navy for
both before his death.
We ask that the privacy of the families be respected as they make final arrangements for their loved ones.
The cause of the July 30 incident is under investigation.
Imagery of the recovery efforts and transfer of remains will be available at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/15thmeurecovery.
Media should direct all queries to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Communication Strategy and Operations Office at kassie.mcdole@usmc.mil.
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