Marine killed in Calif. exercise was Texan, 27

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Authorities say the Marine who was killed when an amphibious vehicle sank during a training exercise in a San Diego-area harbor was a 27-year-old Iraq War veteran from San Antonio.

Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Justin Smith said Saturday that Sgt. Wesley J. Rice was unable to get out of the vehicle when it sank. He was one three instructors in the vehicle along with three trainees.

The five others aboard escaped safely.

Rice was declared dead at a hospital Friday about three hours after the LVT-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle sank in the Del Mar Boat Basin in Oceanside Harbor.

Rice served two tours in Iraq and won several awards including a Combat Action Ribbon.

The Marine Corps said the accident was under investigation and the cause remained unknown.