News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Camp Pendleton News Release

Date: December 10, 1999

United States Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California
RELEASE 99-092
DECEMBER 10, 1999

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MISSING MARINES AND SAILOR DECLARED DECEASED

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Six Marines and one Sailor, missing since the CH-46 Sea Knight they were riding in crashed yesterday about 14 miles off the coast of Point Loma, Calif., have been declared deceased.

An extensive search-and-rescue operation was called off earlier this afternoon. Recovery operations remain ongoing.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as their families and friends," said Lt. Gen. Bruce B. Knutson Jr., commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force. "We are doing everything we can to support them in this time of sorrow."

Deceased are:

* Gunnery Sgt. James P. Paige Jr., 37, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Middlesex, N.J.;

* Staff Sgt. William C. Dame, 33, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to MEU Service Support Group 15, and a native of Yuma, Ariz.;

* Petty Officer 1st Class Jay J. Asis, 33, a corpsman assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Quezon City, Philippines;

* Staff Sgt. David E. Galloway, 28, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Oregon City, Ore.;

* Staff Sgt. Vincent A. Sabasteanski, 34, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Cumberland County, Maine;

* Staff Sgt. Jeffrey R. Starling, 27, a field radio operator assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of South Daytona, Fla.;

* Cpl. Mark M. Baca, 22, a reconnaissance Marine assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Arvada, Colo.

Eleven Marines were injured in the accident and rescued immediately afterward. Three of the injured have been transported to U.S. Naval Hospital Balboa.

The rescued Marines are:

* Capt. James I. Lukehart Jr, a CH-46 helicopter pilot assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Springfield, Ohio;

* Capt. Andrew Q. Smith, a CH-46 helicopter pilot assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Decatur, Ga.;

* Sgt. Robert T. Evers, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Spokane, Wash.;

* Cpl. Adam L. Johns, an air maintenance mechanic assigned to HMM-166, and a native of Fairfield, Ohio;

* Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Mueller, a counterintelligence specialist assigned to the 15th MEU Command Element, and a native of Doniphan, Kan.;

* Capt. Eric L. Kapitulik, an infantry officer assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, North Grosvenordale, Conn;

* 1st Lt. Michael J. Butler, an infantry officer assigned to MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Cobb County, Ga.;

* Staff Sgt. Michael S. Archer, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Altamonte Springs, Fla.;

* Gunnery Sgt. Vojin Marjanovich, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Lake Station, Ind.;

* Staff Sgt. Mark R. Schmidt, an infantry unit leader assigned to I MEF Headquarters

* Staff Sgt. Robert G. Ward, a radio chief assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Tacoma, Wash.

The Marines transported to USNH Balboa are 1st Lt. Butler, Staff Sgt. Ward and Sgt. Evers. The other eight injured Marines remain aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard.

A memorial service for the deceased service members will be held after the 15th MEU returns from its training exercise.

The accident, involving a helicopter and personnel attached to the 15th MEU, occurred during training for an upcoming six-month deployment. The helicopter was flying from the USS Bonhomme Richard to the USNS Pecos when it crashed.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.