Marines have identified a Navy flight surgeon who died on Saturday from injuries sustained during a helicopter accident in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Lt. James A. Mazzuchelli, 32, died after he was struck by the tail rotor of a UH-1Y Venom helicopter in the early evening on Wednesday, according to a statement from 3rd MAW. The sailor from Orange Park, Fla. was attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at MCAS Camp Pendleton.
“Mazzuchelli was an incredibly talented physician and sailor,” said Col. Matthew Mowery, commanding officer of MAG-39 in a statement. “His contagious enthusiasm, motivation, and love for the Marines and Sailors of HMLA-267 and MAG-39 has been evident in the outpouring of grief at his loss and the support being shown to his family and close friends. His willingness to join the Navy and elect to serve faithfully with the Marines should give a sense of pride to all of us who serve our country that we are surrounded by heroes every day. James and his contribution to our Corps will be sorely missed.”
Following the accident, Mazzuchelli was transported to the nearby Scripps La Jolla Medical Facility for treatment and was in critical condition until he passed away just before 6 a.m. on Saturday.
He had joined the Navy in 2010 and had deployed with the HMLA 267 to Japan in 2016.
The incident is currently under investigation.
The following is the complete Feb. 25, 2018 statement from 3rd MAW.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – (February 25, 2018) Navy Lt. James A. Mazzuchelli died yesterday from injuries sustained during an incident on Feb. 21.
Mazzuchelli was a flight surgeon assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at MCAS Camp Pendleton.
“My heart goes out to our Sailor’s family as we support them through this difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, commanding general of 3rd MAW.
Mazzuchelli, 32, a native of Orange Park, Florida, commissioned in the Navy in June 2010. He previously deployed with HMLA-267 to Japan in 2016 as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
“Lt. James Mazzuchelli was an incredibly talented physician and Sailor,” said Col. Matthew Mowery, commanding officer of MAG-39. “His contagious enthusiasm, motivation, and love for the Marines and Sailors of HMLA-267 and MAG-39 has been evident in the outpouring of grief at his loss and the support being shown to his family and close friends. His willingness to join the Navy and elect to serve faithfully with the Marines should give a sense of pride to all of us who serve our country that we are surrounded by heroes every day. James and his contribution to our Corps will be sorely missed.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
