A fire during an amphibious assault vehicle training session left 15 Marines injured on Camp Pendleton in California, U.S. military officials said Wednesday.
A news release from the 1st Marine Division said the vehicle caught fire during land-based training at 9:33 a.m. Those injured belonged to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.
Five Marines were sent to the burn unit.
One of those Marines, Samuel Koontz, took to Facebook to share what happened since the fire.
“So I made it out of the hospital, I sustained 2nd and third degree burns to the hands, arms, and face. I will have no permanent scars on my face atleast.
Our track exploded and us and the track caught fire, me and my squad exited out of multiple ways some being injured more then others.
Me and some of my squad mates got out and went back to pull the rest of our brothers out that couldn’t do it themselves for various reasons.
Me and the couple others finished and everyone got out alive saving the lives of our squad and crew together.
Ultimately this insane experience brought us closer and made us realize alot.
Please continue to pray for my brothers still in the hospital and some in bad condition.Marines continue to amaze me.”
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[…] Schmidt was among 14 Marines and a sailor burned — with several incurring critical injuries — when their amphibious assault vehicle […]