9 Marines die in AAV accident

I'm guessing by your title that they found the missing 8?
I was praying for a better outcome.

Thoughts and prayers for all involved.
 
Have to be a subscriber to read the article.
 
Hoping their families can find some comfort in their loved ones' memories, such a tragic event my heart goes out to all
 
Tragic - I am curious as to the details of the story - was it a AAV-P7/A1?
 
@kinnem I got the Quick Javascript Switcher app recommended by another poster which allows you to read the article.
 
I MEF is doing a presser now. The CMC is there.

Edit: The Marines and their Corpsman are still listed as missing and a search and rescue operation is underway with surface and air assets. The Marines who egressed were found floating in the Pacific with the flotation vests they wear when aboard AAVs. The crew on the other AAVs saw it happen and marked the spot. Due to the weight of the AAV it is assumed it sank to the bottom which is too deep for divers to immediately descend.
 
Last edited:
My son has Marines from the company he was commander of a year ago on that MEU. He’s waiting to hear for good news like their parents are. I in turn am anxiously waiting with him. When our kids hurt, we hurt, regardless of how big and badass they get.
 
RIP HN Christopher Gnem. Whenever you see a photo or video of a squad of Marines, look for the one carrying more gear than the others and that’s their Doc. Being an E-3 HN Gnem was likely doing workups for his first deployment. He went down on that AAV with his Marines.
E6C8383C-B607-4C3F-8A3E-E4180DA6613E.jpeg
 
Last edited:
To honor them, the verses of the Navy Hymn (“Eternal Father”) written for them. There are dozens of unofficial verses written to honor various communities and aspects of military life.

Cue the Navy Hymn score in your mind, add these words:

“O bless our skillful surgeons, Lord,
Our Navy nurses now on board,
Our dentists, Lord, and corpsmen, too, And those who help them help serve you; O grant them strength and constancy
As they heal those who ply the sea.”

Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day, The courage, honor, strength, and skill Their land to serve, Thy law fulfill;
Be Thou the shield forevermore
From ev'ry peril to the Corps.”
 
To add to the above, I looked through videos of the Navy Sea Chanters, an enlisted vocal group, along with a Navy Band, which is also enlisted and led by just a few officers, usually prior enlisted, as a fitting group. This is a 2018 Memorial Day video.



And something from The President’s Own:

It must be the Celt in me, that I immediately look for music to mark a significant event.
 
Back
Top