Officials with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, identified on Aug. 2 the one Marine who was killed and seven Marines and one Sailor who are presumed dead after an amphibious assault vehicle mishap July 30.
Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene before being transported by helicopter to Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego. He was a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th MEU.
Presumed dead are:
Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, of Corona, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California, a hospital corpsman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
Injured were:
A Marine rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU. The Marine was transported from the scene to Scripps Memorial Hospital by helicopter and was in critical condition.
A Marine assault amphibious vehicle crewmember with Mechanized Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU. The Marine was transported from the scene to Scripps Memorial Hospital by helicopter and was in critical condition. He has since been upgraded to stable condition per a competent medical authority.
In total, 16 personnel were aboard the AAV when on July 30 around 5:45 p.m. they reported taking on water while conducting shore-to-ship waterborne operations training in the vicinity of San Clemente Island off the coast of Southern California. Five Marines were rescued and brought aboard USS Somerset.
The incident is under investigation.
My sincere condolences to the families of these Marines.
May the pain of your grief be mercifully short and the warmth of your memories blessedly long.
Len Coughlin
USMC veteran
My heart felt sympathy. Rest in peace Marines. My thoughts and prayers to all the survivors for a full recovery. May God help their families go through their terrible pain. God bless them all
SEMPER FI!
Delfino Morales Amador
USMC 1974-1978 OORAH!
DECEASED 04-29-2018
Carmen G. Amador (spause)
Absolutely my Brother, I praying for the Families that lost their love ones in such freak occurrences. I spent time vehicles a number Amphibious Landings during Med Cruze. To my Fellow Marines that were spared during incident Semper Fi. To the Officers and NCOs that were in charge. Please know that we are praying for you guys too.
Very Sad, RIP Marines, SEMPER FI! Harry 1371
…and when they get to heaven, to St. Peter they will tell, “Another Marine reporting, Sir, I’ve spent my time in hell!” – Unknown. Most heartfelt condolences to families of these brave young men. May they rest in peace. Semper Fi!! Top Pro
As we all know so well there is no “routine”training as it was reported as a “routine” training accident. Marines train for real and risk their lives every time they put on their uniform. GOD BLESS OUR FALLEN BRETHREN AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!
And to all active duty Marines worldwide. Thank you! Your service is not taken for granted and appreciated! May you be protected as you protect us! GOD BLESS MARINES!
RIP Marines. We will never forget.
Our deepest sympathy to the Marine families who lost their loved ones.
Rest In Peace Marines! You are now guarding the streets of Heaven. Thank you for your service and sacrifices. I send my condolences and prayers to your families. I hope they know we, the Marines that survive are with them, because we are all brothers, no matter how along ago we served.
They will have a post for God .
Semper Fidelis! To all of my fellow Brothren. We start as young men who have a duty to each other and our country, some sacrifice all for that promise of maintaining that Freedom. May they forever March on the streets of Heaven as their fellow Marines raise a glass to toast their ultimate sacrifice. OORAH!
My heart feels empty, and shock. Sending my condolence to those young marines and the families.
RIP!
May the Lord grant their families His peace
Don’t mean to be crud or disrespectful but this ain’t the first time or, unfortunately, will it be the last time we lose Marines in non-combat training situations. Be it Tracks, Tanks – at least as long as we have them -, rotorheads, fixed wing, fast movers, grunts, MotorT, what ever… We are Marines – I included “Doc,” our FMF Corpsman – and we train for war. In doing so there will be losses. We learn from those which makes us better Marines and warriors.
God be with the Marines that died, may He ease the horror of those that survived AND May He comfort those whose loved ones died.
God bless the United States of America!!!!!
Frank Walker
Marine Mustang, 62-82, RVN 67-68
God bless these men and their families. As long as there are Marines, you will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace.
Semper Fi.
My heart weeps for these Marines, our Corpsman and their families. They were taken too soon. God, please hold them close.
Those of us who took the long ride in the old LVTP5 Amtrac can relate to the sense of helplessness when the machine dropped off the ship’s ramp into the sea. The occupants are literally trapped in a steel box, wearing packs, rifles and radios … I hated those ‘Tracs and would rather be in an H34 or Huey any time.
God bless them all,and may God comfort their families.
Rest in peace my brothers. My sincerest condolences to your families. Thank you.
Ed Fallon (Sgt. ’65-’71)
God Speed Marines of 15th MEU.
Sincere condolences to your loved ones and friends, you did make your
mark in life and will always be remembered.
Semper Fi brother US Marines.
SSgt David S Searles 1969-1978
God bless you.
I spent 18 months as a 1833 Amtrak crew person, never like the splashing in, Always prayed we would float back up.
But I was a marine and that was my job,
Dark noisy Hot place in the back of an Amtrak,, not a good place to be if thins went bad,
Rest In Peace my brothers
D kroen
Sgt USMC
1975-79
God bless them and their families, great is the day for one who enters the life to come for all of us, as one defending liberty and freedom.
God bless all of the Marines of 15TH MEU and there family ,From B.Fulton Sgt USMC 1972-1976
THANK ALL OF YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM. WE ALL GAVE SOME BUT YOU GAVE YOUR ALL. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN,YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE FOREVER.
G. DANIELS EN3
UNITED SRATES NAVY
61-67