An Asian American navy sailor was killed in a military training accident off the coast of California last Thursday, CBS Sacramento reports.
The accident occurred inside an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) during a 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group routine training exercise near San Clemente Island. The Department of Defense says the vehicle began taking on water during the training exercise. A total of 15 marines and one soldier were involved.
Chris ‘Bobby’ Gnem, 22, is among the 8 marines presumed dead, according to People. Family and friends have begun to mourn Gnem.
“I will remember his kind heart and ear-to-ear smile,” Gnem’s step-father Peter Vienna told CBS Sacramento.
Vienna said his son was the perfect child.
Gnem graduated from Lincoln High School in 2016. His basketball coach Gary Greeno told CBS Sacramento that his teammates voted him team captain and most inspirational player despite averaging only one point per game.
“He had so much to offer, and he was making such a difference and he was one of those kids that five years from now, 10 years from now, I mean, you’re gonna know who Bobby was,” Greeno said.
Gnem is survived by his parents and his fiance, who is also in the military.
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