Grenade Accident Claims Life of Corona Marine, 19

Marine Pfc. Adam T. Hoage was fulfilling a dream of serving in the military. On the home front, his life seemed to be entering a newer, richer phase.

His older sister had just given birth to his first nephew. In a letter to his girlfriend, he said he would propose once he returned from the war.

But Hoage, 19, of Corona was killed Saturday in Saudi Arabia when a grenade accidentally went off as his Marine battalion was preparing for the ground offensive in Kuwait.

His parents, Roger and Mellie Hoage of Corona, were told of his death Saturday. According to a report they received on the incident, their son was killed instantly.

Still trying to gather more information on the circumstances surrounding their son’s noncombat death, the Hoages said that he died honorably and for a just cause.

“I fully support the action of the U. S. troops over there. . . . I believe Adam was supposed to be where he was,” his mother said.

On Monday, friends gathered at the Hoage home to offer support. Mellie Hoage said that her husband, a retired Hughes Aircraft director, along with many other friends, were too distraught to talk about the tragedy.

Hoage was graduated from Norco High School in 1989 and Auburndale Junior High School in 1986.

“We were just of course all shaken up about it,” said Judy Horan, assistant principal at Auburndale, now a middle school. “Suddenly, it all hit home.”

Hoage, whose home base was at the Marine Corps Air Station in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, was transferred to Saudi Arabia in January and served with the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division.

Like other parents with sons in the Gulf, Mellie Hoage said they were worried about her son. They spoke to him for the last time Jan. 20. “He said he was fine,” she said. “He was very upbeat.”

Earlier this month his sister, Stefanie Moody, 23, of Murrieta, gave birth to a son.

“He never got to see his nephew,” his mother said.

Last week, his parents received a letter from Hoage dated Jan. 27.

“He said all they had been doing was pulling guard duty,” Mellie Hoage said. “But he said they were ready to move.”

His girlfriend, Kristie Angulo, 18, of Corona received several letters from Hoage, including one where he said he wanted to marry her.

“He had written her and said that when he came home, he was going to ask her to marry him,” Mellie Hoage said.