CA Capitol Flags At Half-Staff In Honor Of Fallen Service Members

CAMP PENDLETON, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered that flags at the state Capitol be flown at half-staff Tuesday in honor of the eight Marines and one Navy sailor who died when an amphibious assault vehicle sank during a training exercise last week off the coast of Southern California.

"Jennifer and I were heartbroken to learn of the loss of nine service members in an accident off San Clemente Island," Newsom said in a statement. "It is a painful reminder of the sacrifice of members of our armed forces, who put their lives on the line for us. We stand united in mourning with their families and fellow Marines and Sailors."

Fifteen Marines and one Navy sailor were aboard the 26-ton amphibious vehicle, which began taking on water for unknown reasons around 5:45 p.m. Thursday near San Clemente Island, roughly 70 miles off the coast of San Diego, according to Marine officials.

Seven members of the Camp Pendleton-based crew survived the accident. Medics took two of the Marines to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where both were admitted in critical condition. One was upgraded to stable condition as of Sunday night, officials said. The other five rescued Marines returned to their units.

Read more: Officials ID Marines, Sailor Presumed Dead In Training Accident

Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, of New Braunfels, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Perez was a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/4, 15th MEU.

A search ended over the weekend for seven Marines and a Navy sailor who went missing after the accident. The eight lost service members were identified as:

• Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona in Riverside County, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California, a hospital corpsman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.
• Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU.