Severna Park Man Among 7 Killed in Marine Training Exercise
Lance Cpl. Taylor Wild, 21, a 2010 graduate of Severna Park High School, was killed in a training event when a mortar round exploded, a military official said.
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A Severna Park High School graduate was among seven Marines killed during a training exercise Monday in Nevada.
Lance Cpl. Taylor Wild, 21, was killed in a training event during which a mortar round exploded inside an artillery tube, according to his obituary. Marine Corps officials said that the incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Monday at Hawthorne Army Depot, NV.
“The Marines were conducting live fire and maneuver training at the Hawthorne army depot,” Brigadier General Jim Lukeman said. “A (60mm) mortar round exploded in the mortar tube, causing the deaths of seven and injuring (now eight) others. We don’t know yet what caused this malfunction.”
In a press release, Major General Raymond C. Fox issued prayers for the affected family members.
“We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Marines involved in this tragic incident. We remain focused on ensuring that they are supported through this difficult time,” Fox said. “We mourn their loss, and it is with heavy hearts we remember their courage and sacrifice.”
Patch interviewed Wild's family in November 2012, and his mother Betz spoke about how the family was coping with Taylor's third straight deployment during the holidays.
“We’re such a family of traditions,” Betz said at the time, tears filling her eyes. “It is hard that he is half a world away knowing what we are doing and knowing he is missing it.”
Taylor graduated from SPHS in 2010 and left for boot camp in October of that year. Taylor's father, now a police officer in Anne Arundel County, was in the Air Force Reserves, and both of Taylor's grandparents also served in the military.
Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan after boot camp, where he spent seven months in what his mother called a rough part of the country.
In 2011, Taylor returned home to a grateful family. At the time, his mother recalled how much he had missed being in his home country.
“I remember his face walking out the airport when we picked him up and we were on like a field and he just stopped,” Betz told Patch in November. “He was like, ‘Do you know how long it has been since I have walked on grass?’ It was a comfort to him.”
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Correction: This story was updated to reflect the source of information confirming Wild's death.
Alison M
5:50 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Dear God. Bill, Betz and Griffin & Libby....we're so sorry for your loss. A true tragedy and completely devastating. You're in our thoughts and prayers and may Taylor forever be in our hearts.
Ali and Jon Mikeska
Rich Jacques
6:02 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for such a loss. My thoughts are with Taylor's family and friends during this difficult time.
Mom3SP
7:41 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
I enjoyed the story in November and because of it, I feel more pain for this family's loss. Thank you Taylor, for your service for our safety, and thank you Wild family, for your sacrifice, and God, I know you will take good care of Taylor.
Frank Calcaterra
7:45 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
We read about it every day and become desensitized to what it means until it impacts someone we know well.
The military is not a safe profession. Being a Marine Infantryman is near the top of the "not safe" list. Our brave Marines all know that. Still, when a young man barely old enough to legally drink is taken from us it should give us all pause.
I knew this Marine ... watched him grow up. This does not make his passing more tragic than that of his fellow Marines who died in a training accident in Nevada yesterday ... but it does make it more personal. .
God keep Taylor. Semper Fidelis.
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.
Mary Vecellio
7:29 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
My brother was a Marine in Viet Nam, and i can certainly empathize with this Marine's family and their loss. Please accept my condolences and prayers.
Noreen Dalisera
1:05 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Bill, Betz, Griffin and Libby,
We are keeping you all in our thoughts everyday and praying for you all and asking God to watch over you and Taylor.
Mark, Noreen and Family
Nancy Fitzgerald
2:47 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Betz,
Kevin and I and our boys are so sadden by this news. The boys loved it when you brought Taylor to PE classes at St. Martin's. They were so excited he did the push-up contest with them. They looked up to him and were so proud to know him. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Fitzgerald