The Marines that died
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry a casket inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Aug. 12, 2020. The remains of seven Marines and a Sailor recovered Aug. 7 off the coast of San Clemente Island following a July 30 assault amphibious vehicle mishap were transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for final preparation for burial before being released to their families.
With honor ceremony, Marines and sailor who died in ocean training exercise are flown to Dover Air Force Base
ERIKA I. RITCHIE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERAUG 13, 2020 9:37 AM EDT
The flag-draped caskets of seven Marines and a sailor who died when their seafaring vehicle sank off San Clemente Island headed to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
In a final “honorable carry,” each casket was moved by a Marine or Navy pallbearer from a hearse to the awaiting plane during a private gathering at Marine Corps Air Station Mirimar. The vehicles arrived at the flight line one by one.
Once all the caskets were aboard the C-17, a Navy chaplain aboard the plane said a final prayer.
Chaplains have been present during each step from search and rescue to recovery. A chaplain from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, which oversaw the training exercise the servicemen were part of, insisted on being on the ship at sea to watch over the servicemen as each was recovered.
Chaplains have also provided spiritual guidance and comfort to Marines and sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit as they mourn, officials said.
©2020 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.