Two California Marines, including one from Southern California, died after a crash in New Mexico on Tuesday.
The 1st Marine Corps of the Camp Pendleton-based Marines identified two deceased service members as Lance Cpl, from Riverside. Albert A. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamano from Fresno.
A third Marine was injured but survived the accident.
The three Marines were caught in a crash Tuesday during a convoy movement near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, but their exact activity, the extent of their injuries, the cause of their deaths, and a timeline of events, were not revealed by the military. The deaths reportedly were the first as thousands more active forces were sent to the US-Mexico border as part of President Trump’s efforts to close off illegal immigration.
The Washington Post reported that death was the result of a vehicle rollover.
“Lance Cpl. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. The loss of Gamino is deeply felt by all of us,” Lt. Colonel Tyrone A. Barrion said in a statement. “I will spread my sincere condolences and prayers to the family of my brothers who have fallen.”
After the crash, the Marines were taken to El Paso University Medical Hospital, where they were declared dead two Californians.
The third Marine is in danger
The crash is under investigation.
“Our top priority is to ensure that their families and the Marines affected by their deaths are fully supported during this difficult time,” Barion said.
Aguilera, 22, joined the army in March 2023 and was promoted to Head of Lance Corp in May 2024, according to the Marine 1st Division.
Gamano, 28, was an decorated marine combat engineer with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. He enlisted in May 2022 and was promoted to Head of Lance Corp in August 2024. According to Marine 1st Division, he won the Defence Service Bureau and the SEA Service Deployment Ribbon.
Marines were supporting the Joint Task Force South Border Project in New Mexico. The stated purpose of the task force, created in March, is to assist in US customs and border security in monitoring the US-Mexico border.
As explained by the Northern US Command, the task force’s core mission is to detect and monitor cross-border threats to cross-border states.
The task force was created shortly after Trump issued the January 20 executive order and called for the crackdown on illegal cross-border entries.
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