The Marine Corps on Thursday confirmed the death of one of its own in a parachute training accident Tuesday in Perris.
the fallen was identified as Marine Sgt. Caleb M. Medley, 26, of La Junta, Colo., who had served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Emergency personnel responded at about 3 p.m. Feb. 26 to the 2000 block of Goetz Road, near the Perris Valley Airport, for a report of a "skydiver down." Medley sustained traumatic injuries while skydiving, according to a Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's report.
What caused the fatal accident remains under investigation, 1st Division Marine Capt. Lisa Lawrence-Arocho stated in a news release.
"The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Medley," Lawrence-Arocho stated.
Medley was an assistant radio operator with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2005.
In his nearly eight years of service, the Marine was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
"Our sincere condolences go out to his family," Lawrence-Arocho stated.
