The active-duty Marine who died in a fatal boating accident on March 4 in the waters off Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay Hawaii has been identified.
Rescuers found 24-year-old Sgt. Jaylon T. Walker unconscious underwater on Saturday morning. Sgt. Walker began his active duty career on June 13, 2011 and hails from Garland, Texas.
Three Marines had gone out fishing together in a Walker’s 17-foot Boston Whaler vessel when suddenly a rogue wave flipped the boat, according to HNN. The men accompanying Walker were able to swim back to shore.
Flannery, a spokesman on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps announced, “Sgt. Walker was a fine Marine and will be truly missed by everyone here in the squadron. We honor his service and his contribution to the Marine Corps and our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
3.5.16: The Marine was found lifeless in the water after a boat he was in capsized, according to Stripes.com. The Marine Corps will not release the name of the Marine until his next of kin have been notified, spokesman Chuck Little said in a statement.
“We are saddened by the loss of one of our Marines, but are deeply grateful for the efforts of the Honolulu Fire Department and Coast Guard in this matter,” Little added.
The local Fire Department responded to reports of a missing swimmer at approximately 2:30 a.m. the news source stated. Personnel subsequently learned that the 17-foot boat overturned with the Marine and two other men aboard. The other two managed to swim to shore.
Later that morning, the missing Marine was found unconscious underwater at approximately 8:30 a.m. and was later declared dead.
The Coast Guard and other military personnel teamed up with the Fire Department first responders in the rescue effort.
