CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – 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. Monday.
In a press release, the U.S. Marine Corps identified the fallen Marines.
- Pfc. Joshua M. Martino, 19, of DuBois served as a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 2012. Martino’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
- Lance Cpl. David P. Fenn II, 20, of Polk City, Fla. was a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in June of 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in March of 2011. Fenn’s awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
- Lance Cpl. Roger W. Muchnick Jr., 23, of Fairfield, Conn., was a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in June of 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in May of 2011. Muchnick’s awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
- Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Taylor, 21, of Marietta, Ohio, was a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in June of 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in August of 2011. Taylor’s awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
- Lance Cpl. Mason J. Vanderwork, 21, of Hickory, N.C., was a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in June of 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in August of 2011. Vanderwork’s awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
- Lance Cpl. William T. Wild IV, 21, of Anne Arundel, MD, was a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in October of 2010 and was promoted to his current rank in December of 2011. Wild’s awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
- Cpl. Aaron J. Ripperda, 26, of Madison, Ill., was an anti-tank missleman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in September of 2008 and was promoted to his current rank in April of 2011. Ripperda’s awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.
The injured were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV for treatment and further evaluation. The Navy Corpsman is considered very seriously injured; five others are seriously injured and two Marines have been treated for minor injuries and released.
“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.