Authorities released the bodies Friday seven marines and a naval sailor who were killed when a Marine landing craft sank in hundreds of feet of water off the coast of Southern California, authorities said. The rest were found after underwater rescue operations following the sinking on July 30th.
They will be flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to be ready for burial by mortuary teams, according to a statement Friday night from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. The remains “will then be released to their families in accordance with their wishes,” the statement said.
De amphibious car crash in 385 feet of water when it returned to a navy ship after completing routine training, the army said. One of the Marines rescued after the accident was pronounced dead at the scene.
The craft sank less than a mile from San Clemente Island off the coast of San Diego. A diving and rescue ship with special equipment arrived on Thursday and returned the bodies and the car, the army said.
The dead were identified earlier this week as: Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, of Corona, California; Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California; Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; US Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California; Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon; Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas; Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon; and Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California.
Eight other people were rescued but one died at the scene. He was identified as Marine Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 19, of New Braunfels, Texas. His body was flown to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday.
All on board the Marines were attached to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based near Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego.
“We hope the successful recovery of our fallen warriors brings some measure of comfort,” a statement to Col. told her family. Christopher Bronzi, Commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The commander of the Marine Corps has stopped all hydrogen companies from their more than 800 amphibious attack vehicles until the cause of the accident is determined.
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