thedrifter
11-01-06, 08:30 AM
Marine dies during training exercise at Pendleton
By: SARAH WILKINS - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON - Authorities are investigating the death of a decorated 22-year-old Marine who was shot Monday night during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton.
Cpl. Seth M. Algrim, a mortarman from Kansas assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, died at about 10 p.m. from gunshot wounds sustained during an urban combat training exercise, Lt. Esteban Vickers said. Foul play is not suspected.
Vickers did not comment specifically on Algrim's death, but said that urban combat training is a routinely practiced by Marine units in training areas set up as mock towns.
Urban combat exercises vary by unit, and exercises include patrolling streets, moving from building to building and clearing buildings, Vickers said. Role play is also used at times, though it is unclear what Algrim's unit was practicing at the time of the shooting, he said.
Practicing in urban settings is necessary because "the world is so built up, you're not fighting in the open plains," Vickers said.
Vickers said it was also unknown how many Marines were participating in the exercise Monday night, but urban combat training can involve anywhere from four to 1,000 troops. Exercises can also last from a few hours to several days, and Vickers said he did not know how long Algrim's unit had been out.
As a mortarman, Algrim provided indirect fire support, meaning that he could be called in if the infantry was hit, Vickers said. He also performed routine infantry duties, he said.
Algrim, who joined the Marines Aug. 18, 2003, had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and his awards included the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Algrim's accomplishments were highly regarded by his family in his tightknit hometown of Garden City, Kan., his cousin, Kristina Odneal, said Tuesday.
"Once he started talking to a recruiter, he just loved it," said Odneal, who also lives in Garden City and grew up baby-sitting Algrim and his two younger brothers. "It became a way of life for him to serve his country. He was very proud to be a Marine, and his family is very proud of his accomplishments."
Algrim had recently re-enlisted and frequently e-mailed his family and called his parents while abroad, Odneal said. Joining the Marines was "a way to get out of Kansas" after Algrim graduated from Garden City High School in 2002, where he participated in track and boxing, Odneal said.
"His boxing instructor called him a 'bull in a china cabinet.' He was small, but nothing bothered him," Odneal said.
Algrim also enjoyed riding his dirt bike, talking about old cars with his uncle and helping on his father's farm, and was chosen to be the godfather of Odneal's young daughter, she said.
"We're very proud of him, he was extraordinary," Odneal said. "He looked out for everybody; he was very loving."
-- Contact staff writer Sarah Wilkins at (760) 761-4414 or swilkins@nctimes.com.
Ellie
By: SARAH WILKINS - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON - Authorities are investigating the death of a decorated 22-year-old Marine who was shot Monday night during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton.
Cpl. Seth M. Algrim, a mortarman from Kansas assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, died at about 10 p.m. from gunshot wounds sustained during an urban combat training exercise, Lt. Esteban Vickers said. Foul play is not suspected.
Vickers did not comment specifically on Algrim's death, but said that urban combat training is a routinely practiced by Marine units in training areas set up as mock towns.
Urban combat exercises vary by unit, and exercises include patrolling streets, moving from building to building and clearing buildings, Vickers said. Role play is also used at times, though it is unclear what Algrim's unit was practicing at the time of the shooting, he said.
Practicing in urban settings is necessary because "the world is so built up, you're not fighting in the open plains," Vickers said.
Vickers said it was also unknown how many Marines were participating in the exercise Monday night, but urban combat training can involve anywhere from four to 1,000 troops. Exercises can also last from a few hours to several days, and Vickers said he did not know how long Algrim's unit had been out.
As a mortarman, Algrim provided indirect fire support, meaning that he could be called in if the infantry was hit, Vickers said. He also performed routine infantry duties, he said.
Algrim, who joined the Marines Aug. 18, 2003, had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and his awards included the Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
Algrim's accomplishments were highly regarded by his family in his tightknit hometown of Garden City, Kan., his cousin, Kristina Odneal, said Tuesday.
"Once he started talking to a recruiter, he just loved it," said Odneal, who also lives in Garden City and grew up baby-sitting Algrim and his two younger brothers. "It became a way of life for him to serve his country. He was very proud to be a Marine, and his family is very proud of his accomplishments."
Algrim had recently re-enlisted and frequently e-mailed his family and called his parents while abroad, Odneal said. Joining the Marines was "a way to get out of Kansas" after Algrim graduated from Garden City High School in 2002, where he participated in track and boxing, Odneal said.
"His boxing instructor called him a 'bull in a china cabinet.' He was small, but nothing bothered him," Odneal said.
Algrim also enjoyed riding his dirt bike, talking about old cars with his uncle and helping on his father's farm, and was chosen to be the godfather of Odneal's young daughter, she said.
"We're very proud of him, he was extraordinary," Odneal said. "He looked out for everybody; he was very loving."
-- Contact staff writer Sarah Wilkins at (760) 761-4414 or swilkins@nctimes.com.
Ellie