Camp Pendleton relieves 2 after bomb blast investigation

2 relieved of command for blast that killed 4 Camp Pendleton Marines
LA Times
By Tony Perry
March 6, 2014

CAMP PENDLETON -- The explosion that killed four enlisted Marines during a Nov. 13 training exercise was probably caused when a grenade round was "dropped, kicked or bumped," according to a investigation report released Thursday.

The grenade set off an explosion among several hundred grenades and other shells that had been gathered for demolition.

As a result of the investigation, a captain and master sergeant were relieved of command -- an action that may end their careers.

Brig. Gen. John Bullard, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, said that the exact cause of the accident may never be known.

The four Marines were explosive ordnance disposal specialists who had been assigned to clear away thousands of rounds from one of the impact areas on the base.

The captain and master sergeant had failed to adequately assess the potential danger, the general concluded.

All four Marines had deployed to combat zones and been awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, awarded only to Marines who were under fire and returned fire.

Those killed were:
Staff Sgt. Mathew Marsh, 28, of Long Beach. He deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Mullins, 31, of Bayou L'Ourse, La. He deployed twice to Afghanistan.
Sgt. Miguel Ortiz, 27, of Vista, Calif. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Eric Summers, 32, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. He deployed to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan.
The four had a total of seven children, all under age 10. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has awarded each child $30,000 in college scholarship support.
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Camp Pendleton training accident claims lives of 4 Marines