Naval Personel Injuries and Casualties from Jan 2000 to Jan 2005
One sailor and six Marines killed when CH-46 "Sea Knight" from Marine Medium
Helicopter Squadron 166, flying from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), crashed off
the California coast. 9 Dec. 1999.
Aircrew members injured when AH-1W "Sea Cobra" from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron (HMM) 261 impacted the ground during a training flight in Jordan. 31 Jan.
2000.
MV-22 "Osprey" based on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and temporarily
attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, Marine Corps Air Station
Yuma, Arizona, crashed near Tucson killing all 19 Marines aboard. The Osprey was part
of a two-plane flight conducting operational evaluation. 8 April 2000.
Both crew members killed when T-34C "Turbo Mentor" of Training Squadron 6, Naval
Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, crashed in Alabama. 2 May 2000.
Pilot and radio intercept officer killed when F-14 "Tomcat" assigned to Fighter Squadron
101, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, crashed during a flight demonstration at Naval
Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. 18 June 2000.
One person killed when the landing gear of a CH-53E "Super Stallion" of Marine Heavy
Helicopter Squadron 464 collapsed during maintenance at Marine Corps Air Station
New River, North Carolina. 21 Jun. 2000.
Both crew members killed when T-38A "Talon" of the US Naval Test Pilot School,
Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, crashed at the station. 11 Jul. 2000.
Nine passengers killed when Navy-contracted Piper "Navajo Chieftain" on a routine
shuttle flight from Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, to Naval Air
Station Patuxent River, Maryland, crashed in New Jersey. 9 Aug. 2000.
MH-53E "Sea Dragon" of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15, Naval Air
Station Corpus Christi, Texas, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico killing all 6 occupants.
10 Aug. 2000.
Two F/A-18D "Hornets" of Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 242, Marine Corps Air
Station Miramar, California, collided in midair near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma,
Arizona. One plane crashed, killing both aircrew members; the other landed safely. 11
Sep. 2000.
Instructor pilot and student killed when T-34C "Turbo Mentor" of Training Squadron 10,
Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, crashed in Alabama. 27 Sep. 2000.
Pilot killed when F/A-18C "Hornet" of Strike Fighter Squadron 25 crashed in the
Arabian Gulf following takeoff from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). 29 Sep. 2000.
Pilot was lost a sea when F/A-18C "Hornet" from VFA-151 crashed off southern
California after a night catapult launch from USS Constellation (CV-64). 20 Oct. 2000.
Four Marines killed when MV-22 "Osprey" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training
Squadron (VMMT) 204 crashed at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.
11 Dec. 2000.
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Petty Officer Third Class Joseph K. Kauffmann assigned
to Carrier Air Wing 14, lost overboard on 26 Jan. 2001.
Two aviators killed when TAV-8B "Harrier II" of Marine Attack Training Squadron 203
crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. 3 Feb. 2001.
USS George Washington sailor lost overboard. 4 Feb. 2001.
Two instructor pilots killed when T-45A "Goshawk" of Training Squadron 22 crashed
into the Atlantic Ocean while observing training flights on USS Dwight D.
Eisenhower (CVN-69). 21 Feb. 2001.
A sailor was killed in a flight deck accident involving a SH-60B "Seahawk" of
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 49 aboard USS Thach (FFG-43) in the Pacific
Ocean. 19 Mar. 2001.
A Vietnamese helicopter surveying potential sites for full-scale excavations to recover
remains of Americans missing in action from the Vietnam War crashed in Quang Binh
Province, Vietnam. Chief Hospital Medical Corpsman Juan Pedro Gonzales, USN,
killed. 7 Apr. 2001.
Seaman Matthew Draughon drowned while salvaging the wreckage of a Misawa F-16
that had crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Misawa Air Base, Japan. The umbilical
lines supplying air and communications to Draughon became wrapped around the ship's
anchor chain. Strong currents whipped the chain, which hit Draughon and caused him to
lose his diving helmet. 5 May 2001.
Both aviators killed when T-34C "Turbo-Mentor" of Fighter Attack Squadron 125,
crashed near Naval Air Facility El Centro, California. 21 May 2001.
Pilot killed when F/A-18C "Hornet" of Fighter Attack Squadron 106 crashed in Florida.
29 May 2001.
Both crew members killed then T-34C "Turbo-Mentor" assigned to Training Air Wing 6
crashed in Alabama. 8 Jun. 2001.
Three crew members killed when CH-46E "Sea Knight" of Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 365 crashed into the water at Marine Corps Air Station New River, South
Carolina. 9 Jul. 2001.
DoD news release indicates that 65 personnel died in aviation mishaps in fiscal year
2001.
LVS overturned on curve resulting in the death of the (Marine) A-driver. 2 Oct. 2001.
USS Inchon (MCS 12) fire in boiler room. Machinist's Mate third Class Ronnie Joe
Palm, Jr. died and seven other sailors injured. 19 Oct. 2001.
Machinist's Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryan L. Davis lost overboard from aircraft
carrier Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in Arabian Sea during Operation Enduring Freedom. 7 Nov.
2001.
Sailor lost at sea during an attempted search and rescue hoist by a HH-60H "Seahawk"
from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 14 in the Arabian Sea. 7 Nov. 2001.
Engineman 1st Class Vincent Parker and Electronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin
Johnson from USS Peterson (DD-969) boarding party drowned after oil smuggling
merchant ship Samra foundered in the northern Persian Gulf. 18 Nov. 2001.
Petty Officer Randy Whitaker, USN, assigned to USS Russell (DDG 59), lost at sea. 27
Nov 2001.
Fireman apprentice on aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk fell from the top bunk rack and died
from a head injury. 29 Nov. 2001.
Electrician's Mate Fireman Apprentice Michael J. Jakes Jr., died from a head injury on
USS Kitty Hawk in Northern Arabian Sea during Operation Enduring Freedom. 4 Dec.
2001.
KC-130/R from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 (VMGR-352) crashed
near Shamsii, Pakistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Command Pilot
Captain Matthew W. Bancroft, Co-Pilot Captain Daniel G. McCollum, Flight Engineer
Gunnery Sergeant Stephen L. Bryson, Loadmaster Staff Sergeant Scott N. Germosen,
Flight Mechanic Sergeant Nathan P. Hays, Flight Navigator Lance Corporal Bryan P.
Bertrand, Radio Operator Sergeant Jeannette L. Winters killed. 9 Jan. 2002.
Marines from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom, injured when an unknown item exploded in a burn pit while they were burning
trash at their base camp in Qandahar, Afghanistan. Three Marines injured. 17 Jan. 2002.
Two US Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom, were injured when the backblast of a C-17 aircraft disembarking
personnel and equipment at Qandahar, Afghanistan, caused two aluminum pallets to
blow into the air, landing in the tent area of the Marines. The injuries were not life
threatening. 18-19 Jan. 2002.
1st Light Armored Reconn (LAR) Battalion, US Marine Corps Corporal was acting as
one of two required ground guides in order to assist in moving an M-813 5-ton truck off
a loading ramp. As the driver started the truck, the Corporal jumped off the loading ramp
onto the ground behind the truck. The truck jerked backwards pinning him between the
truck and the loading ramp. The Corporal suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced
dead at the scene. 18 Jan. 2002.
CH-53E from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom, crashed 60 kilometers south of Bagram in northern
Afghanistan. Staff SGT Walter F. Cohee III and Staff SGT Dwight J. Morgan killed and
five injured. 20 Jan. 2002.
Sailor fell off USS George Washington (CVN-73). Despite search by H-60 "Seahawks"
from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 3, the sailor was not located. 4 Feb. 2002.
5-ton truck participating in a battalion field firing exercise apparently jack-knifed while
towing a M198 (155mm howitzer). The truck then rolled over. The mishap occurred at
night (1830 PST--Sunset was 1727 PST). All 8 personnel were airlifted to a local
hospital. 3 deaths and 3 serious injuires. 5 Feb. 2002.
Copilot and one crew member suffered minor injuries when their CH-46 "Sea Knight"
from squadron HS-6 crashed during vertical replenishment with Mount Baker (T-AE34) 100 miles east of the Virginia Capes. 7 Feb. 2002.
Crewmen were injured when a UH-1N "Huey" from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 165 crashed in Kenya, Africa. 11 Feb. 2002.
Crewmen were injured when a KC-130F "Hercules" from Marine Aerial Refueler
Transport Squadron 252 crashed at Twentynine Palms, California. 11 Feb. 2002.
A Marine suffered fatal injuries after being struck by the gun section of a M198 155 mm
howitzer. 13 Feb. 2002
UH-1N "Huey" from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 crashed in the Chocolate
Mountains of Imperial County, California, during a routine training maneuver. Two
Marines were killed and two injured. 14 Feb. 2002.
F/A-18D "Hornet" from Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 533 damaged when it
departed the runway after a hook-skip at Twentynine Palms, California. Both
crewmembers ejected but one was killed. 17 Feb. 2002.
A Sgt. Maj. collapsed after a 4-mile run, went into cardiac arrest, resulting in death. 18
Feb. 2002.
Sgt. Maj. collapsed after first mile of a formation run, and later died. 1 Mar 2002.
CPL fell out of PT formation run and fell to the ground; died of an aneurysm. 1 Mar
2002.
LTCDR Christopher M. Blaschum, piloting an F-14B "Tomcat" from Fighter Squadron
143, killed despite ejecting, when his aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean Sea
immediately after launch from the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). 2 March 2002.
Recruit collapsed while marching with his platoon. Three Parris Island drill instructors
might have taken training too far, leading to the collapse of a recruit. Recruit was taken
to a battalion aid station, where he became unconscious, lapsed into a coma, and was
transferred to a local hospital and subsequently moved to Medical University of South
Carolina in Charleston. 8 Mar. 2002.
Arabian Sea. F-14A overboard on landing, John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Aircraft returned
from mission and was conducted an arrested night landing onboard USS Stennis. Upon
engagement of the arresting gear, the aircraft's tail hook failed. The aircraft continued off
the angle with insufficient flying speed and impacted the water. Both crewmembers
ejected and were recovered; only one suffered minor injuries. Aircraft destroyed. 8 Mar.
2002.
HH-46D "Sea Knight" helicopter crashed in Atlantic Ocean during a search and rescue
mission. One crew member killed. 9 Mar. 2002.
Lt. Terri Sue Fussner, Lt. Wayne Francis Roberts, and Aviation Warfare Systems
Operator 2nd Class Jason Edward Lawson in a SH-60B"Seahawk" from Helicopter
Squadron Light (HSL) 46, died in crash in central Mediterranean. 12 Mar. 2002.
Yuma--FA-18A Pilot ejected during one on one Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM).
Aircraft crashed on the Yuma range. The pilot was safely recovered with only minor
injuries. 15 Mar. 2002.
Camp Pendleton--six marines injured when amphibious assault vehicle overturned
during a training exercise on base. 19 Mar. 2002.
A Marine recruit fell out of a 1. 5 mile training run and was taken to the hospital, where
he later died. 23 Mar 2002.
Sgt. Major fell out of training run and was taken to the hospital where he later died. 23
Mar 2002.
Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Matthew Bourgeois killed by land mine during training
exercise near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Another SEAL was injured. The mine had
apparently been planted by Taliban or al-Qaida forces before they fled the area in
December 2000. 28 Mar. 2002.
Two propeller-driven Extra 300L aircraft from a test pilot school crashed into each other
during a formation takeoff at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, MD. LCDR Christopher
C. Tragna killed; LT Kevin Quarderer and two civilian crew members injured. 2 Apr.
2002.
PAX River, MD. 1 Navy death, LCDR Tragna, and a Contractor flight instructor died.
Two contractor owned, contractor operated planes, were taking off in formation; one
aircraft aborted and the second aircraft impacted the first. Accident occurred at 2:50 p.
m. when two Extra 300L aerobatic planes being used by the school to train test pilots
crashed as they attempted a formation takeoff. 9 Apr. 2002.
MA1 suffered cardiac arrest during department physical training and died shortly
thereafter. 9 Apr. 2002.
Seaman recruit collapsed and died while performing physical training at Naval Station
Great Lakes. 16 Apr. 2002.
QF-4S Phantom II crashed at the Point Mugu Airshow in California, killing Navy pilot
CDR Michael Norman and Marine radar intercept officer CAPT Andrew Muhs. 20 Apr.
2002.
Marine lost control of government-owned-vehicle, resulting in an accident. He later died
due to his injuries. 29 Apr. 2002.
Camp Pendleton. Forklift accident, Gunnery Sgt. Jones died from injuries sustained in a
forklift accident in which he was trapped underneath the overturned vehicle. Jones was
the 3rd Battalion supply chief for the 1st Marine Division. 7 May 2002.
Lieutenant fell out during physical training at Naval Station Great Lakes and later died.
7 May 2002.
Seabee chief petty officer collapsed during battalion run and later died at hospital. 8 May
2002.
Seven people were missing when two T-39N apparently collided midair, south of
Pensacola, 1530L hrs, 2 Raytheon pilots, 1 Royal Saudi Air Force, 3 US Navy, 1 USMC.
8 May 2002.
A forklift overturned, trapping the Marine driver underneath. Injuries resulted in death.
10 May 2002.
US sailor killed when struck by a US Navy hovercraft on the first day of the Cobra Gold
military exercise in Thailand. The sailor was forward-deployed to Beach Master Unit
One, Detachment Western Pacific, at Sasebo, Japan. The sailor was part of a unit that
operates the Navy's Landing Craft, Air Cushioned. The LCAC was transferring 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit troops, equipment and vehicles when it struck the sailor. The
LCAC was from the amphibious landing ship USSEssex (LHD-2). 14 May 2002.
An armored troop carrier rolled over while making a turn resulting in the death of Cpl.
Joel Puchi, who died at the accident scene on the Marine Corps base 35 miles north of
San Diego. The 14-ton light armored vehicle rolled over at 2:15 a. m. as Puchi and other
members of the Third Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion from the Twenty Nine
Palms Marine Base trained at Camp Pendleton. 15 May 2002.
USS Dolphin (AGSS-555), a Navy research submarine that holds the record diving
depth caught fire and partly flooded off San Diego, California, but the 43 people aboard
were rescued. Dolphin, reported the fire and flooding at 11:30 p. m. on Tuesday as it was
operating on the ocean surface about 100 miles from San Diego. The crew was
evacuated by small boat to another Navy vessel. A Coast Guard helicopter rescued two
crewmembers who fell into the water. Some crewmembers had injuries that Cmdr. David
Koontz described as "bumps and bruises. " The fire and the flooding were controlled and
the submarine was stabilized early today, military officials said. The vessel remained at
the accident site, assisted by frigateThach, and a submarine support vessel. The
submarine had been on a training mission since Monday. The 165-footlong Dolphin, stationed in San Diego, is the Navy's only diesel-electric research
submarine. Commissioned in 1968, it set a record test depth of more than 3,000 feet. 21
May 2002.
F/A-18A crash destroyed aircraft near Fallon, NV. Pilot ejected and recovered with
minor injuries. 6 Jun 2002.
Marine drowned while swimming ashore after helicopter cast training (jumping without
a parachute from a helicopter). 8 June 2002.
At Fresno Yosemite Intl Airport, a UH-1N helicopter crashed at 1800 hrs during a search
and rescue (SAR) hoist. 1 SAR crew injured, 1 civilian death. 13 Jul 2002.
One crewmember injured and a civilian killed when a UH-1N "Huey" from Naval Air
Station Lenmoore, California, made an emergency landing during a search and rescue
hoist. 13 Jun. 2002.
Two aircrew injured when a AH-1W "Super Cobra" from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 264 crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. 27
Jun. 2002.
During a trench clearing live fire operation, a Marine threw a grenade which bounced
back and detonated in close proximity to the Marines in Hawaii's Pohakuloa Training
Area, Range 10. Three Marines were MEDEVAC'd to Hilo Hospital and five others
treated for minor injuries. The three hospitalized Marines are in good condition, with
most serious injuries shrapnel wounds and one Marine who had the tip of the little finger
amputated. 5 Jul 2002.
F-14B from NAS Oceana crashed off VA Beach. Two crewmembers were recovered by
US Coast Guard and taken to local hospital. 8 Jul 2002.
Two UH-60 helicopters intermeshed turning rotor systems on the ground in Fallon, NV.
Taxiing helo's main rotor hit a parked/turning helo's tail rotor. No major injuries--but
two maintenance personnel were slightly injured by flying debris. Damage to both
helicopters and a third shutdown/parked helicopter exceeds $1 million. 9 July 2002.
Marine Sgt. Major died after complaining about chest pains subsequent to performing
unit physical training. 13 July 2002.
SKSN collapsed while performing physical readiness training at Reserve Center
Greenville, SC; and died. 13 July 2002.
A sailor collapsed while performing mandatory physical training at Pearl Harbor. 17 July
2002.
High-Mobility, Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HUMMWV) rolled over at Camp
Lejeune during rehearsal preparations for a live fire exercise. Marine Lance Cpl. was
riding in the gun turret of HUMMWV when vehicle rolled over and pinned him
underneath causing his death. 26 July 2002. (possibly 20 July?)
A GSM2 collapsed and died while participating in routine swim test at Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, SC. 27 July 2002.
Pilot injured when T-34C Turbo Mentor of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron
101 crashed near Bear City, California. 6 Aug. 2002.
Midshipman 2d Class John Paul Ruggiero apparently fell from his fourth floor Bancroft
Hall dormitory window and died at the Naval Academy. 18 August 2002.
Navy SEAL CDR Peter G. Oswald died during a fall from a US Army UH-60
Blackhawk helicopter while using a standard fast roping technique. 27 August 2002.
Marine Pfc. Jeremy R. Purcell was shot in the chest and killed by a live round in a
blanks-only drill. Camp Pendleton, California. 28 August 2002.
One passenger killed when SH-60B "Seahawk" of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron
Light 43 crashed into the sea while operating from USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) in the
Arabian Gulf. 6 Sep. 2002.
Three crewmembers were killed when an S-3B "Viking" of Sea Control Squadron 22
crashed into the Caribbean Sea while operating from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).
10 Sep. 2002.
Marine sustained fatal injuries in crash while training in a civilian aircraft. 23 Sep. 2002.
DoD news release notes that 82 personnel died in aviation mishaps in fiscal 2002.
Pilots LT. Matthew S. Shubzda and LT. Joel A. Korkowski, and weapons systems
officers LT. Stephen R. Nevarez and LT Stephen N. Benson from Strike Fighter
Squadron 41 died when two F/A-18F Super Hornets collided during an exercise in
California. October 18, 2002.
Two AH-1W Super Cobras from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 collided
at Laredo International Airport, TX. Four killed. 22 Jan 2003.
Columbia Space Shuttle (Mission STS-107) broke apart during re-entry to Earth's
atmosphere over Texas. CDR William C. McCool (Pilot), CAPT David M. Brown
(Mission Specialist), CDR Laurel B. Clark (Mission Specialist), and four non-Navy
astronauts died. 1 Feb. 2003.
Seaman Ariel Morataya from USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) died at Rodriguez Zambrano
General Hospital in Manta, Ecuador, of injuries suffered while on liberty. 10 Feb. 2003.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (major combat phase from 19 Mar. to 1 May 2003). Marine
casualties included 26 non-hostile deaths, 15 very serious injuries, and 127 serious
injuries. USNS Comfort treated 650 patients; 2 died. Fleet Hospital Three treated 600
patients; 2 died. Fleet Hospital Eight treated 1380 patients; 1 died. Some of these events
involving naval personnel are detailed below.
Four Marines: MAJ Jay Thomas Aubin, CAPT Ryan Anthony Beaupre, CPL Brian
Matthew Kennedy, Staff SGT Kendall Damon Watersbey, and eight British commandos
died when the CH-46E "Sea Knight" Helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 268 crashed south of Umm Qasr, near Highway 801 in Kuwait. 21 Mar. 2003.
Navy LT Thomas Mullen Adams, an exchange officer with the Royal Navy's 849
Squadron assigned to HMS Ark Royal, died when two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters
collided over international waters near Iraq. 22 Mar. 2003.
Marine Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd
Marine Expeditionary Brigade, was killed, and three other injured in a vehicle accident
in Kuwait. 23 Mar. 2003.
Marine Lance Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski of the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division,
killed by an accidental discharge of a . 50 cal machine gun in Iraq. 23 Mar. 2003.
Marine Corporal Evan James and Sergeant Bradley Korthaus drowned in southern Iraq
attempting to cross the Saddam Canal, which runs parallel to the Euphrates River,
without a safety line while wearing heavy gear and rifles. 24 Mar. 2003.
PFC Francisco A. Martinez Flores, Lance Cpl. Patrick T. O'Day, and Staff Sgt. Donald
C. May, Jr. 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division were killed in traffic accidents
during convoy operations in the vicinity of the Euphrates River. 25 Mar 2003.
MAJ. Kevin G. Nave of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, was
killed and another injured when a US armored vehicle ran over them at night in
Southern Iraq. 26 Mar. 2003.
A Marine from First Expeditionary Force was killed at night when he was hit by a HighMobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while engaged in a firefight with
Iraqi soldiers in South-Central Iraq. 28 Mar. 2003.
A Marine from First Marine Expeditionary Force drowned when the High-Mobility,
Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) he was riding in rolled over into a canal in
South-Central Iraq. 29 Mar. 2003.
Lance CPL. William W. White of 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 1st Marine
Division, was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq. 29 Mar. 2003.
Staff SGT James W. Cawley was killed when he was accidentally struck by a HighMobility, Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). 29 Mar. 2003.
UH-1N "Huey" from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA)-169 crashed in
Iraq. Three killed. 30 Mar. 2003.
S-3B "Viking" from Sea Control Squadron 38 of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard
USS Constellation (CV 64) veered off the flight deck after making an arrested landing.
Shortly after touching down on deck, the S-3B malfunctioned while taxiing on the
carrier's flight deck and slid to the port side of the deck. The plane went over the side
and hit flight deck safety netting, with the two pilots aboard ejecting into the water. The
plane then followed into the water. A helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine
Squadron (HS) 2 was performing search-and-rescue (SAR) operations for the flight
cycle and arrived on scene immediately. Both slightly injured pilots were recovered by a
SAR swimmer and transported toConstellation. 1 April 2003.
Marine Lance CPL. Joseph B. Maglione was killed by a non-combat weapon discharge
at Camp Coyote, Kuwait. He was assigned to Bridge Company B, 6th Engineer Support
Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group. 1 April 2003.
F-14A "Tomcat" crashed in souther Iraq owing to mechanical failure. A combat search
and rescue team successfully recovered the pilot and radar intercept officer and took
them to a coalition air base. Neither Navy crewmember was seriously injured. 2 April
2003.
Lance CPL. Brian E. Anderson was killed in a non-hostile accident west of An
Nasiriyah, Iraq. Anderson was manning a . 50 caliber rifle on top of a 7-ton truck when
the vehicle passed under and apparently snagged low hanging power lines. He was
assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. 2
April 2003.
PFC Christian D. Gurtner was killed by a non-combat weapons discharge when his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon discharged, firing one round into his chest near Al Kut in
southern Iraq. Apparently, the Marine had been sleeping with his weapon when it
accidentally discharged. He was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance
Battalion, 1st Marine Division. 2 April 2003.
Marine PFC Chad E. Bales was killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident during convoy
operations east of Ash Shahin, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Transportation Support
Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group. 3 April 2003.
Marine Corps pilot and co-pilot suffered minor injuries when their AH-1 Cobra
helicopter crashed near Samarra, Iraq. The incident was not the result of hostile fire. 14
April 2003.
Corporal Jason David Mileo was shot and killed in a "friendly fire" incident after being
mistaken for an enemy solder in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3d
Battalion, 4th Marine regiment, 1st Marine Division. 14 April 2003.
A single-seat F-5E "Tiger II" aircraft from Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13
crashed nine miles south of the Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada, killing the pilot,
LTCDR Anthony Domino. 18 April 2003.
Three Marines were killed and seven injured when a rocket-propelled grenade launcher
they were firing for familiarization training malfunctioned. The incident occurred near
the city of Al Kut, Iraq. The dead are: Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Todd Arnold and
Chief Warrant Officer Robert William Channell, Jr., both from the 1st Battalion, 10th
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade; and Lance Corporal Alan Dinh
Lam from the 8th Communication Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. 22
April 2003.
An explosion occurred in a trash receptacle adjacent to a Marine berthing compartment
aboard USS Saipan (LHA-2) injuring 11 personnel. None of the injuries were life
threatening, but one Marine was evacuated to an Army field hospital in Kuwait for
treatment of a serious arm injury; the others were treated aboard. The injured personnel
were members of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. 7 May 2003.
LCPL Cedric E. Bruns, assigned to the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force
Service Support Group, was killed in a non-hostile vehicle accident in Kuwait. He was
driving a pickup truck that was struck on the driver side by another vehicle. 9 May 2003.
LCPL Matthew R. Smith, assigned to Detachment 1, Communications Company,
Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, was killed in a
non-hostile vehicle accident in Kuwait. He was driving a High-Mobility, Multi-purpose
Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) as part of a convoy to Camp Coyote in Kuwait when his
vehicle struck a parked trailer. 10 May 2003.
Two First Marine Expeditionary Force Marines were killed in Iraq when unexploded
ordnance they were handling detonated. LCPL Jakub Henryk Kowalik and PFC Jose
Franci Gonzalez Rodriguez were killed. 12 May 2003.
LCPL Nicholas Brian Kleiboeker was killed near Al Hillah, Iraq, when he was trapped
in a munitions bunker that caught fire and exploded. He had been loading ammunition
from the bunker into a vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion,
2nd Marine Division. 13 May 2003.
CPL. Douglas Jose Marencoreyes died and another was injured in a truck accident. The
Marines, from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, were traveling in a large transport
truck (LVS--Logistics Vehicle System) when it rolled over approximately 30 km.
southeast of Al Samawah, Iraq. The Marines were traveling to a pumping station while
in support of civil military operations when the accident occurred. 18 May 2003.
Ch-46 "Sea-Knight" helicopter from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, with a crew of
four, crashed shortly after take-off in the Shat Al Hillah Canal, Iraq, while conducting a
re-supply mission in support of civil military operations. SGT. Kirk Allen Straseskie, on
the bank of the canal, entered the water and drowned attempting a rescue of the
crewmembers, all of which died. 19 May 2003.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Dwayne Williams tripped and fell overboard while
chasing a football, falling 70 feet into the Atlantic from USS Nassau (LHA 4) and was
lost at sea about 900 miles east of Norfolk, Virginia. 23 May 2003.
Petty Officer First Class Shaun Dale presumably fell overboard from USS Nassau (LHA
4) and drowned in the Atlantic Ocean. A search and rescue effort was conducted after he
was discovered missing during a routine muster. Nassau launched helicopters in support
of the search, and a US Coast Guard C-130 Search and Rescue aircraft joined the search.
Additionally, the ship reversed its course and retraced its previous path. 25 May 2003.
SGT. Jonathan W. Lambert assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division,
died from injuries he suffered when his High-Mobility, Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle
(HMMWV) rolled over in Iraq. 26 May 2003.
Petty Officer 3d Class Doyle W. Bollinger, Jr., Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
133, died in Al Kut, Kuwait when he was handling a piece of unexploded ordnance
accidentally detonated where he was working. The sailor was killed instantly and three
others were injured, but stable. 6 June 2003.
Petty Officer 1st Class Raymond J. Pless died after cardiac arrest; he had complained of
chest pains during routine exercise and reported to medical personnel. He was a
boatswain's mate on the USS Essex at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan. 9 June 2003.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Danny E. Jones was found dead in an empty berthing space on
the USS Fort McHenry at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan, where he was an operations
specialist. 10 June 2003.
PFC. Ryan R. Cox, of 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, died as
a result of wounds received from a non-combat weapon discharge near An Najaf, Iraq.
15 June 2003.
An 18-year old sailor collapsed in Minato-Machi Cho at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan. He
suffered cardiac arrest en route to the hospital and pronounced dead by hospital staff
later that evening. 16 June 2003.
Captain Seth R. Michaud, an aviator with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, was
killed and 8 other US service members were wounded when an Air Force B-52
Stratofortress apparently dropped "multiple" bombs in the wrong area of Godoria Range
during a Supporting Arms Training Exercise (SATEX), which is part of the routine
training for personnel in Djibouti. The service members were supporting Combined
Joint Task Force--Horn of Africa. 22 June 2003.
Marine Lance Corporal Gregory E. MacDonald, assigned to Bravo Company, 4th Light
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, was killed when the light armored vehicle he was
traveling in rolled over in Iraq. 25 Jun. 2003.
Seaman Joshua McIntosh, assigned to the Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment,
died in Karbala, Iraq, from a non-hostile gunshot wound. 26 June 2003.
Marine Corporal Travis J. Bradachnall, assigned to Combat Service Support Group 11,
1st Marine Expeditionary Force, was killed in an explosion during a mine clearing
operation near the city of Karbala, Iraq. 2 Jul. 2003.
Lance Cpl. Jason Andrew Tetrault, assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, was killed in Kuwait in a vehicle accident. 9 Jul. 2003.
Lance Cpl. Cory Ryan Geurin, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st
Marine Division, died as a result of injuries received in Babylon, Iraq, when he fell 60
feet from a palace roof where he was standing guard duty. 15 Jul. 2003.
MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter from Heavy Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC)
4, crashed on land approximately 10 miles west southwest of Naval Air Station (NAS)
Sigonella near Palagonia, Sicily, during a routine training mission. The dead included
Executive officer CDR. Kevin A. Bianchi, LT. Peter Ober, Aviation Structural Mechanic
1st Class Brian P. Gibson, and Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Samuel Cox . 16
Jul. 2003.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class David J. Moreno, with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force,
was killed in Al Hamishiyah, Iraq, from a non-hostile gunshot wound. 17 Jul. 2003.
F/A-18C Hornet crashed at Twentynine Palms, CA, killing the pilot. 22 July 2003.
USS George Washington (CVN-33) crewman killed during repositioning of an aircraft
towing dolly. 21 Nov. 2003.
Four Marines seriously injured and six other Marines treated and then released at Camp
Lejeune Naval Hospital, NC, as a result of a High-Mobility, Multi-purpose Wheeled
Vehicle (HMMWV) running off Route US 17 and striking the side of a bridge. The
driver, who lost control of the vehicle, was based at Camp Geiger, a training base
adjacent to Camp Lejeune. The other nine Marines in the vehicle were students at Camp
Geiger. 9 Aug. 2003.
During landing of an F/A-18C Hornet from VFA-106 on USS George
Washington (CVN-73) in the Virginia Capes, an arresting wire broke. Several crewmen
on deck were injured. 11 Sep. 2003.
UH-1N Huey from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 crashed at Camp
Pendleton, CA. 4 killed. 22 Jan. 2004.
Seaman Apprentice George C. Schultz died from burn injuries sustained in an accident
after he fell into a utility trench housing steam pipes at Naval Station Norfolk. He was
stationed aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61). 26 Jan. 2004.
Marine Forces Pacific UC-35 crashed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA. Four
personnel were killed. 10 Mar. 2004.
USS Pinckney (DDG 91) pre-commissioning unit personnel traveling by bus to Beaufort
National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the ship's namesake, who
is buried there, collided with a truck on US Route 17 about 20 miles north of Beaufort,
SC. Three sailors were killed, 24 were treated at area hospitals, and 47 suffered minor
injuries. 12 Mar. 2004.
F/A-18 Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 203 crashed on a low-level navigation flight
training mission. The pilot ejected, but broke a leg. 29 Mar. 2004.
CDR Adrian B. Szwec died of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Naval
Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 12 Apr. 2004.
F/A-18A Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 and pilot were lost while
operating in southern California. 21 Apr. 2004.
Marine PFC Michael M. Carey, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st
Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, apparently drowned in a canal in Iraq.
18 May 2004.
F/A-18A Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 and pilot were lost at sea
during night operations in the Atlantic Ocean. 27 Jun. 2004.
F/A-18C Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 departed the runway and
overturned upon landing at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC. The pilot was killed.
28 Jun 2004.
A civilian employee of the Navy died when he fell 70 feet from the main mast of
USS Constitution while performing maintenance on the mast and rigging. 29 Jun. 2004
CPL Terry Holmes, SGT Krisna Nachampassak, PFC Christopher J. Reed, and Staff Sgt.
died in a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were
assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force. 10 July 2004.
Lance CPL Dustin R. Fitzgerald died, in a non-combat related vehicle incident in Al
Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2, 24th Marine
Expeditionary Unit. 18 Aug 2004.
Gunnery SGT. Edward T. Reeder died in a non-combat related vehicle incident in Al
Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Force
Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. 21 Aug. 2004.
Lance CPL Nickalous N. Aldrich died from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Al Anbar
Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. 27 Aug. 2004.
PFC Kenneth L. Sickels died in a non-combat related incident in Al Anbar Province,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. 27
Sep. 2004.
A sailor was injured when run over by a VFA-82 F/A-18C Hornet while it was being
towed on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). 19 Oct. 2004.
Lance CPL Richard P. Slocum died due to a non-combat related vehicle accident near
Abu Gharib, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine
Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. 24 Oct 2004.
Lance CPL Jeffrey Lam died as a result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar
Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Communications
Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group. 8 Nov. 2004.
Lance CPL Nicholas H. Anderson died in a vehicle incident while conducting combat
operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine
Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. 12 Nov. 2004.
Lance CPL Jordan D. Winkler died due to a non-combat related incident at Camp
Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service
Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. 26
Nov. 2004.
Staff Sgt. Jason A. Lehto, died in a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He
was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's Marine Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine
Aircraft Wing. 28 Dec. 2004.
Navy Seaman Pablito Pena Briones, Jr died of a non-hostile gun shot wound in Fallujah,
Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Marine Division. 28 Dec. 2004.
USS San Francisco ran aground south of Guam while traveling underwater (nearly
instantaneous deacceleration from Flank [maximum] Speed to 4 knots). Machinist Mate
2nd Class Joseph Allen Ashley was in Aft Main Seawater Bay on Engineroom Upper
Level Watch at the time of the grounding, and his body was thrown forward
approximately 20 feet into Propulsion Lube Oil Bay. He suffered a severe blow to his
forehead and never regained consciousness, dying two days later. 1 killed and 15
injured. 8 Jan. 2005.
Source for this information
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/accidents.htm