The marine that was killed when his all-terrain vehicle rolled over during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif. has been identified as a 24-year-old platoon commander, First Lt. Hugh C. McDowell from Washington.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of a member of our Marine Corps family,” the U.S. Marines account posted on Twitter. “1st Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, platoon commander, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, died during a training event on Camp Pendleton, May 9, 2019. Semper Fidelis, Brother.”
We are heartbroken at the loss of a member of our Marine Corps family. 1st Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, platoon commander, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, died during a training event on Camp Pendleton, May 9, 2019.
Semper Fidelis, Brother. pic.twitter.com/08Lr27BWdF
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) May 10, 2019
In a report published by the Marine Corps Times on March 10, Marine Corps officials announced one Marine was killed and 6 others injured in an accident involving the rollover of a light armored reconnaissance vehicle at Camp Pendleton, Calif. at around 9 a.m. on May 9.
Department of Defense policy dictates the identity of a deceased Marine be withheld until 24-hours after the family is notified.
“We recognize that military operations are inherently dangerous and we take extreme precautions to ensure the safety and welfare of our Marines,” the release said, according to the Marine Corps Times. “This is a tragic accident and we are heartbroken at the loss of a member of our Marine Corps family.”
Condolences and Support
The U.S. Department of Defense expressed condolences to the family, friends and fellow Marines of McDowell on their Twitter account.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and fellow Marines of 1st Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, platoon commander, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division,” the Department of Defense said on Twitter. “We honor his service and sacrifice to our nation.”
Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and fellow Marines of 1st Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, platoon commander, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. We honor his service and sacrifice to our nation. https://t.co/MgPA5z0duP
— U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) May 11, 2019
Users on Twitter reached out and showed their sympathy and offered their words of support.
“God Bless this gentleman’s family, his service is glorified in Heaven now,” wrote one user on Twitter. “So grateful for all of our Marines, and all who serve.”
God Bless this gentleman’s family, his service is glorified in Heaven now. So grateful for all of our Marines, and all who serve. ????
— Melanie N. (@Beeesweet1) May 11, 2019
First Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, 24, of Washington D.C., died from injuries sustained when his Light Armored Vehicle rolled over during training https://t.co/rECWwCMLI3
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 11, 2019
Recently another Marine died in a similar accident at the same base.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica was killed after his Polaris MRZR vehicle rolled over on April 14 at Camp Pendleton, according to a command release reported by the Marine Corps Times.
Braica was taken Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif. where he died of his injuries according to the Marine Corps Times.
