The inspector general of the United States Marine Corps, Major General Robert Castellvi, was suspended amid ongoing investigations into the sinking of an amphibious tank in which nine troops died off the coast of California, reported the Monday a newspaper.
The accident occurred on July 30 near the island of San Clemente and Castellvi became the highest-ranking officer facing disciplinary action in multiple investigations into the disaster, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Castellvi’s suspension was announced Monday by the deputy commander of the Commandant of the Marine Corps in a hearing before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Armed Services.
General David Berger, commander of the Marine Corps, ordered the suspension last week pending the outcome of an investigation, according to the newspaper.
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Castellvi was until September the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. He was named in a previous investigation as someone who had some responsibility in the accident. However, the Marine Corps did not sanction it.
The commanding officers of the 15th Expeditionary Unit and the Battalion Landing Team involved in the accident were relieved of command and seven more Marines face administrative or disciplinary action, according to the Marines.
The Marine Corps said last year’s accident was due to mechanical failure, poor maintenance, inadequate training and poor judgment by commanders.
Marines use such vehicles to transport troops and equipment from navy ships to land. The vehicles are armored, have cannons and grenade launchers and look like tanks when they hit the beach.
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