The Marines have identified eight young service members who are presumed dead – and one service member whose body was discovered during SAR operations – following a training exercise mishap involving an AAV.
The incident occurred off the coast of California where 16 crew members were aboard an Assault Amphibious Vehicle during a routine exercise when the 26-ton vehicle began taking on water.
While other units rushed to the crew’s aid, they allegedly couldn’t do anything to stop the bulky vehicle from sinking several hundred feet deep to the ocean floor – too deep for divers to reach it.
After the tragic accident, seven Marines were saved from the water.
Following an extensive 40-hour search that covered some one thousand nautical miles, the US Marine Corps announced they discovered one body. The victim was later identified as 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez. The other eight service members are “presumed dead.”
According to the reports, all crew members aboard the sunken Assault Amphibious Vehicle belong(ed) to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“I know all of us in the USMC family are extremely saddened following the announcement of the end of SAR operations. This difficult decision was made after all resources were exhausted,” 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, expressed following the official announcement confirming the end of SAR operations.
“Our prayers continue to be with the family and friends of the 8 Marines and one Sailor we lost.”
The eight service members, including seven Marines and one Sailor, who are presumed dead have been identified as follows:
Private Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, from California
Private Evan Bath, 19, from Wisconsin
Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, from Oregon
Private First Class Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, from Oregon
Lance Corporal Marco A. Barranco, 21, from California
Corporal Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, from California
Corporal Wesley A. Rodd, 23, from Texas
US Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, from California
Sending prayers to the families and friends of the victims of the training exercise accident.
Replaced!