Obituaries

Marine Corporal, 21, Killed During Training Exercise at Twentynine Palms

A Marine corporal based at Camp Pendleton died Monday at Twentynine Palms when an amphibious assault vehicle caught fire, a USMC spokesman said Wednesday morning.

He was identified as Cpl. Nicholas Sell, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Sell, 21, was a native of Eagle Point, Ore.


Sell died at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center while supporting 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, during a battalion assault course in support of Integrated Training Exercise 6-13, Camp Pendleton officials said.

Sell enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 3, 2010. He deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom and his awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

"The Marines and sailors of 1st Marine Division mourn the loss of Cpl. Sell," Capt. Justin E. Smith of the 1st Marine Division Public Affairs Office said. "Our heartfelt
condolences go out to his family."

The cause of the incident was under investigation.

For a report and photos from weapons training with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines at Twentynine Palms in January 2013 click the following link:

Weapons Training with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines: The Magnificent Bastards


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