News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: 2 Marines, 1 Sailor Found and Identified

Date: December 18, 1999

United States Marine Corps
Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California

RELEASE 99-098
DECEMBER 18, 1999

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SERVICE MEMBERS’ REMAINS IDENTIFIED

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The remains of two Marines and one Sailor that were recovered by the Navy’s Deep Submergence Unit have been identified.

The remains have been identified as:

• Staff Sgt. Jeffrey R Starling,27, a field radio operator assigned to IMEF 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.;
• Petty Officer 1st Class Jay J. Asis, 33, a corpsman assigned to I MEF Headquarters Group, and a native of Quezon City, Philippines.

Starling, Baca and Asis are three of seven service members who died in the CH-46 helicopter mishap December 9 during the 15th Marine Expeditionary Units training for their upcoming six-month deployment.

The Navy and Marine Corps will continue the recovery and salvage efforts.