Remains Of US Personnel Found After Training 'Mishap'

The remains of eight American service members have been found after a training "mishap" off the coast of southern California last week.

The seven US Marines and one sailor were on board an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) during shore-to-ship waterborne training operations when the incident occurred.

The men assigned to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and were near San Clemente Island, a US Navy-owned island about 70 miles from San Diego, at the time.

Several personnel were injured.

"Our hearts and thoughts of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are with the families of our recovered Marines and Sailor," said Colonel Christopher Bronzi, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Commanding Officer.

"We hope the successful recovery of our fallen warriors brings some measure of comfort."

One service member was confirmed to have died at the scene, named as 20-year-old Lance Corporal Guillermo S. Perez.

The eight other personnel were later "presumed deceased" after an extensive search and rescue mission was called off last weekend.

Earlier this month, they were named as: 

• Private First Class Bryan J. Baltierra
• Lance Corporal Marco A. Barranco
• Private First Class Evan A. Bath
• US Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem
• Private First Class Jack Ryan Ostrovsky
• Corporal Wesley A. Rodd
• Lance Corporall Chase D. Sweetwood
• Corporal Cesar A. Villanueva

The incident remains under investigation.

(Cover image: US Navy).