MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 22, 2013. Seven Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, were killed and eight others were injured, which includes a Navy Corpsman, in an explosion during a live-fire training exercise at Hawthorne Army Depot, Nev., shortly before 10 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013.
Their names are Private First Class Joshua M. Martino, 19, of Clearfield, Pa.; Lance Cpl. David P. Fenn II, 20, of Polk City, Fla.; Lance Cpl. Roger W. Muchnick Jr., 23, of Fairfield, Conn.; Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Taylor, 21, of Marietta, Ohio; Lance Cpl. Mason J. Vanderwork, 21, of Hickory, N.C.; Lance Cpl. William T. Wild IV, 21, of Anne Arundel, Md.; and Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda, 26, of Madison, Ill.
Our fallen warriors were honorably transported from Reno, Nev., to Dover Air Force Base March 20, 2013.
Six names of the eight injured are LCpl Sean J. Burke, LCpl Douglas L. Hand II, LCpl Myles E. Harris, HM3 Ian S. McClanahan, Sgt Caleb W. Patton, and CWO-2 Ryan P. West.
The injured were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nev., for treatment and further evaluation. McClanahan is considered very seriously injured; Burke, Hand, Harris, Patton and West are seriously injured and two Marines were treated for minor injuries and released. Status updates of those injured will be provided as it becomes available.
“We send our prayers and condolences to the families of the Marines and sailors who have been killed and injured in this tragic accident,” said Brig. Gen. Jim Lukeman, 2nd Marine Division Commanding General. “Our first priority is to provide them with the support they need during this very difficult time, and we’re doing that right now.”
Currently, there is an employment suspension of the 60mm mortar system across the Marine Corps. All units using the system have been directed to immediately discontinue using the mortar system until further notice.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Source: http://www.iimef.marines.mil
