Marines Rule Human Error Caused Nevada Explosion

The Marines say human error is to blame in the March mortar explosion in Nevada that killed seven Marines including Lance Cpl. William Taylor Wild IV.

An investigation revealed, "the Marines employing one of the mortars did not follow correct procedures, resulting in the detonation of a high explosive round at the mortar position," according to a release. The investigation also determined that the "mortar section had not conducted appropriate preparatory training leading up to the live-fire event."

The investigation was initiated by Brig. Gen. James Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division.

Those killed when a 60mm mortar round exploded were in the "immediate vicinity of the mortar section's firing position," the Marines said.

The March 18 explosion at Hawthorne Army Depot resulted in the death of seven Marines and injured eight other service members of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, at Hawthorne, NV. Among those killed was Severna Park native Wild.

Wild grew up in the Whitehurst community. He went to Severna Park High, where he pitched for the 2009 state baseball champions. He enlisted after graduation and served in Afghanistan in 2011. Last fall, he volunteered for a tour in Kuwait.

Since his passing, the Severna Park community has railed in countless ways to show the Wild family support. Community members have hosted vigils, organized a fundraiser and even lined miles of Arundel Beach Road with flags during the week of Wild’s funeral.

Wild is most commonly known around Severna Park for his smile, something that was mentioned repeatedly during the vigil held in his honor on March 23. Wild’s mother, Betz Wild, said her son was unafraid to show love.

“He’s definitely one of those kids that had no problem showing love,” Betz said in March. “He doesn’t care where he is, he will give you a hug anywhere and say ‘love you mama’ or ‘love you poppy.’ If Taylor loves you, you know it.”

While the Severna Park community has been left to cope with the loss of Wild since news of the explosion surfaced, friends and family have shown unfailing support and have used the kindest of words to show their love for Wild and his family.

At Wild’s vigil, one of his friends Christopher Boan summed up what everyone seemed to be thinking with one simple phrase.

‘Thank God for people like Taylor,'” Boan said. “I can only hope to be half the man he was.”

As a result of the findings of the Marines investigation, Lukeman relieved Lt. Col. Andrew McNulty on May 8. McNulty was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.

Capt. Kelby Breivogel, the company commander of Company A, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Douglas Derring, the battalion’s Marine infantry weapons officer, or Gunner, were also relieved of their duties.

According to a release, Lukeman relieved those officers because he "lost trust and confidence in their ability to ensure proper preparation for, and conduct of, live-fire training events."

For more on Lance Cpl. Taylor Wild, click here.