At SGT GRIT, our Marine Corps Memorial news sections report on Marines who die abroad and Marines who die at home. We remember all fallen Marines. The report below details the death of a Marine killed at Camp Pendleton in California.
Date: Jan. 18, 2018
ONE MARINE KILLED AT SCHOOL OF INFANTRY, ANOTHER IN CUSTODY
One Marine was killed, and another taken into custody after a fight broke out at Camp Pendleton's School of Infantry on Tuesday, according to a Marine official.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Marine was fatally stabbed.
"An NCIS [Naval Criminal Investigative Service] investigation has been opened, and is currently ongoing," Marine Capt. Joshua Pena, a spokesman for the Corps' Virginia-based Training and Education Command, told Marine Corps Times Tuesday.
Private First Class Ethan A. Barclay-Weberpal, assigned to Lima Company, Headquarters and Services Battalion at SOI-West, was killed in the incident, Pena said. He was 18 years old and had just entered the Corps in July.
Pena said the incident occurred "aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, at the School of Infantry West."
Pena declined to offer any other information.
"The name of the Marine in confinement, also assigned to the same unit, will not be released at this time," Pena said.
This story was first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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25 comments
UPDATE: per a reliable source – THEY WERE NOT FIGHTING – the boys/Marines were the best of friends and almost inseparable – they were rough-housing and the switchblade button got pushed in the process…most unfortunate. Both families are grieving over this devastating event…both have lost their son.
Well I bet the Public Information people had their hands full. I was at 1st Mar Div ISO (1962-63?) when we had just been issued the M-14 and we had a guy walking guard at the Division Motor Pool. He had a buddy come back from Liberty drunk and was screwing around as he was walking his post. Somehow he shot his drunk buddy and killed him. What a mess. The media just about messed their pants with excitement. I do remember hearing the LA Times reporter arguing with his editor. We had opened all the information and did not cover up a thing and his editor thought there was more of a story. But they got everything we knew and had a hard time skewing it to fit an agenda. Oh, the irony was that the guy who was killed last name was named “Crapps” so you know some wise guy immediately put out a memo titled “No more shooting Craps in the Motor Pool.” Sick USMC humor.
I was in In Boot Camp San Diego in June of 1959, ITR for about 4 weeks, Camp Pendleton, before we got our first leave for 15 days. After that, it was about another 6 weeks of Advance Infantry Training, again at Camp Pendleton before we were assigned to either schools or regular units. My point is that at that time it was harsh treatment by DIs, and all instructors involved. For the last decade or two, I’ve heard of much easier Boot Camps, and training at Pendleton when it involves stress and pressure, even involving cards which a Recruit can use to let the DI know to ease-up on the stress level -Ha! What a joke that is if its true. Will our combat troops now be issued cards to inform the enemy know we need a break? I served two tours in Vietnam, 65/66 over 13 mos., and again 69/70 for 12 months.Forget decent billeting, decent food, air condition or flushing toilets. We worked 24/7. During my first tour in 65 we didn’t have clothes or boots to cope with the Monsoon rains, and the extremely high temperatures. We survived because of our discipline instilled in our training. it was obvious to me that all that harsh, and even the hazing was what made the difference from the other services. I never heard of Marine killing their fellow Marines in a Barracks fight or other crimes as we now hear more often. I think Boot Camp is not as much of a screening course as it used to me. PC and easing-up is not working.
I was at Pendleton 80-81 and there was a Sargent in the company next to the motor pool who was stabbed to death in his quarters by a couple of irate Marines. These people do not deserve the title Marine.
I picked up the diagnosis right after my second kid was born. Harvoni cured me. Hope it can do the same for you brother. Remember, eat well, exercise, and NO Alcohol. God Bless.
well said i was there in 80-82 and young men cracked every wk we were put threw a lot day and night and it made a man out of you during infantry training
Heart broken over this news….incredibly sad for the families. It’s hard not to worry about our boys…this just makes it all the harder! You’d think the worrying would be less during the training phases…and the concern for safety would begin WHEN they were deployed. But since our son joined in August 2016 (boot completed, MCT completed, now at MOS) this is the 3rd death we have heard about during training phase…. the absolute last thing we as parents expect to hear is that a fellow Marine is responsible for taking the life of your son!
I went there all so but it was called go ri lla ta biggest baddest of them all yes it was ITR I was there dec.66 throuth march 67 I seen a new butt just got back from rifle rang in butt camp go in his hootch cause he got called in, when came back out some joker put a live round in his rifle an while he didn’t know it when he picked up his rifle to clean it ta round when off an went throw his leg an calf they pick him up an a meat wagen. never knew what ever happened to him. we where all told to shut ta hell up an become deaf dumn an blind when they came to ask quist. mor cover up’s then what ta out side know’s about I got lot’s of stores an no one to hear them not that they would believe them
in 56 bare knuckles was our way to settle it and then we had to climb “nellies tit” and back in an hour as I recall. Too bad for all involved and lives destroyed. It did not have to end that way.
I joined the Corps in 1961 and after 6 months was starting basic electronics at MCRD having completed boot camp leave and a month of mess duty. Does not seem likely that the marines involved were in training at the time.
My prayers go to the fallen Marine and his family.
HOORA to that ive always considered the corps to be a brotherhood ,,I am a retired marine Mgysgt (30years) and I don’t think I’m wrong hope you throw the book at him for doing that,,supposed to kill the enemy not each other.
We all are Marines and we all knew and served with some Marines we knew were missing a few screws- some reared their ugly heads and got smacked down in the Old Corps! Still a shame that someone did not see this coming. Especially while still going thru training- we were watched and had more free time after Boot Camp- But still a crying shame for one brother to take another’s life. May the slain Marine have his soul rest in Eternal Peace- and God Bless the Marine Corps!
I been all my life proud the be part of the US military, I was trained on Campus Lejeune, USMC. I did loose in combat some of my best friend and comrade in Vietnam. I always remember the good and bad times we all spent together.
Instructors should teach this young Marines the meaning of brother hood and I got your 6 before starting. Prayers for the deceased Marine’s family.
It wasn’t boot camp. The already Graduated from Boot camp.