Marines Dead Camp Lejeune

Since September 1941, Camp Lejeune has played a crucial role as the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness.” Over the years, it has evolved into the home base for various combat units and support commands, including the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and more.

The base hosts several major Marine Corps and Navy commands, with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune serving as the landlord, providing real estate and support for tenant commands. II Marine Expeditionary Force is responsible for operational planning, 2nd Marine Division serves as the ground combat element, and 2nd Marine Logistics Group handles combat service support. The 2nd Marine Air Wing, based at Cherry Point, N.C., operates as the air combat element of II MEF. Additionally, the naval hospital offers essential medical care to service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River.

Camp Lejeune’s primary mission remains unchanged: to maintain combat-ready units for expeditionary deployment. The base utilizes its vast area of 156,000 acres, 11 miles of beach for amphibious operations, 34 gun positions, 50 tactical landing zones, and state-of-the-art training facilities to prepare warfighters for various missions abroad, both combat and humanitarian.

The base and its surrounding community are home to a diverse population of approximately 170,000 people, including active-duty personnel, dependents, retirees, and civilian employees. Camp Lejeune significantly contributes to the local economy, generating nearly $3 billion in commerce annually through payrolls and contracts that support the training and equipping of modern Marines.

Camp Lejeune provides a wide range of services and facilities to cater to the needs of its residents, such as childcare, shopping, education, family support, hunting and fishing, dining, boating, and swimming. Various amenities like banks, credit unions, the commissary, library, fitness centers, theaters, and more are available to enhance the quality of life for those stationed at the base.

With a focus on excellence, Camp Lejeune has been recognized as a nine-time recipient of the Commander-in-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence. This prestigious award commends the base on a Department of Defense level for its effective management of assets and the development of quality programs that contribute to the mission of providing expeditionary forces in readiness.

The dedicated Marines, sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and civilian personnel at Camp Lejeune work tirelessly to ensure the efficient management of assets and to achieve even greater accomplishments in the future. Their commitment to excellence and readiness underscores Camp Lejeune’s position as a superior military base and a vital asset to the nation’s defense.

The Marine Corps has identified the three lance corporals from Camp Lejeune who were tragically found dead in a vehicle outside the North Carolina military base. The Marines, Lance Cpl. Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, from Madison, Wisconsin; Lance Cpl. Merax C. Dockery, 23, from Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; and Lance Cpl. Ivan R. Garcia, 23, from Naples, Florida, were all members of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

The grim discovery was made when the Pender County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a missing person and found the three Marines unresponsive inside a vehicle parked at the Speedway convenience store in Hampstead, North Carolina. The investigation is ongoing, and there is no indication of any threat to the community.

This devastating incident comes just one month after another tragedy involving four individuals, three of whom were Marines from Camp Pendleton, who lost their lives in a fiery car crash on a California highway. The loss of these brave Marines serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the armed forces, and the nation stands in solidarity, offering support and gratitude for their service and dedication.

Michael McWilliams, the commanding officer of the Second Marine Logistics Group, has conveyed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the grieving families, friends, and colleagues of the three young Marines who tragically lost their lives. The untimely demise of these brave individuals has deeply affected not only their immediate circles but the entire community as well.

As the news of the Marine’s deaths spread, an overwhelming sense of sorrow and mourning has enveloped those who knew them and those who may have only known them by their service. The Marine Corps stands united in grief, offering unwavering support to all those impacted by this devastating event.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Marine Corps is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to assist the affected families and provide the necessary resources to cope with their immeasurable loss. A team of dedicated investigators is working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths, aiming to bring clarity and closure to this heart-wrenching incident.

The loss of these young lives serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women in defense of our nation. The camaraderie and bond shared by Marines, both on and off the battlefield, is a testament to the dedication and brotherhood that defines their service.

As the investigation continues, the entire community joins in solidarity, holding onto hope that the truth will emerge, and unanswered questions will find resolution. In the meantime, expressions of support, prayers, and well-wishes pour in from across the nation, exemplifying the depth of gratitude and respect for those who serve.

The memory of Tanner Kaltenberg, Merax Dockery, and Ivan Garcia will forever live on in the hearts of those they touched. Their commitment to duty and honor will remain an inspiration to others, a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve in uniform.

As the Marine Corps perseveres through this dark moment, they are guided by the cherished Marine motto, “Semper Fidelis” – Always Faithful. In the face of adversity, the Marine family remains united, upholding the values of loyalty, honor, and courage that define their revered legacy.