Marine Who Apparently Killed Self in Somalia Identified
U.S. military officials on Monday released the identity of a California Marine who died two days earlier of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Lance Cpl. William A. Rose, 20, of Stockton was the seventh American fatality since Operation Restore Hope began Dec. 9 to safeguard food shipments in war-torn Somalia. Two others were killed by gunfire, two by land mines and two in road accidents.
Marine Col. Fred Peck, the U.S. spokesman for the American-led military coalition, said Rose was an infantryman who was based at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
Rose was married and had a son, said Sgt. Tony Sinagra, a spokesman at the Marine base in Twentynine Palms. Rose joined the Marine Corps in June, 1991.
He died Saturday night at Mogadishu’s soccer stadium, which serves as a base for about 1,000 Marines. A memorial service was planned for today.
The death remains under investigation, in line with standard procedure. The body will be returned to the United States, probably accompanied by a member of his unit.
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