Gulf | Bahrain
Pentagon investigates death of US Marine in Bahrain
The Pentagon is investigating the death of a US Marine who died in Bahrain on August 17.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:47 August 23, 2008
Manama: The Pentagon is investigating the death of a US Marine who died in Bahrain on August 17.
"Lance Cpl. Travis M. Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, Pa., died August 17 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Manama, Bahrain. He was assigned to the 3rd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Forces, Norfolk, Va.," the Department of Defence said on Saturday in a statement.
However, it gave no further details about the death, saying that the incident was under investigation.
A local newspaper, Al Watan, on Monday reported that a US Marine had committed suicide in Bahrain, home to the US Fifth Fleet. Stottlemyer was assigned to the Third Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Marine Corps Security Forces in Norfolk, located at Naval Station Norfolk. According to a news release, Stottlemyer joined the Marines in 2006 and was trained as an infantryman and security force guard.
Decorated
He joined the 3rd FAST Company in May 2007 and was promoted to lance corporal in July 2007.
He was decorated with the National Defence Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and two Sea Service Deployment ribbons.
Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams, or FASTs, are designed to be rapidly deployed to provide security for US installations around the world.
Naval base: Rare fatal accidents
Fatal accidents are rare among the Navy's 3,000 staff who live and work on the base in Manama, and generally keep a low profile.
In October, two female sailors were killed at the navy's base in Bahrain by a third sailor. The Navy has yet to reveal further details about the incident.
In April, 40-year-old Cherie L. Morton was found dead at her off-base home, but terrorism was ruled out as the cause of her death.
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