Marines Identify Raider Killed Following Training Accident

April 16, 2019 1:50 PM - Updated: April 16, 2019 5:44 PM
SSgt Joshua Braica. US Marine Corps Photo

THE PENTAGON — The Marines have identified the Raider who died from injuries he suffered during an April 13 training accident at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command announced on Monday.

“Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, a critical skills operator with 1st Marine Raider Battalion, suffered critical injuries when the MRZR tactical vehicle he was driving experienced a rollover,” read a late statement from MARSOC. “He was medically evacuated to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He did not survive his injuries, passing away the evening of April 14.”

Two other Marines in the vehicle suffered minor injuries in the accident.

Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Bracia enlisted in 2010 and served as an intelligence Marine before joining the Raiders in 2015.
“Our thoughts are with the family and teammates of Staff Sgt. Braica during this difficult time. MARSOC is providing care and support to them and we urge respect for their privacy as they grieve this loss,” read a statement from MARSOC. “He is survived by his wife and son.”

Braica is the seventh Marine to die on duty this year, following three Marine reservists who were killed in a roadside bomb, two who died in an AH-1Z Viper helicopter crash last month and a Marine who was shot while on guard duty in Washington, D.C., in January.

A Marine with a Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicle on Jan. 22, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The following is the complete April 16, 2019 statement from MARSOC.

MARSOC IDENTIFIES MARINE KILLED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – It is with heavy hearts that U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command announces the death of a Marine Raider following a tactical vehicle accident that occurred aboard Camp Pendleton, April 13, 2019.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, a critical skills operator with 1st Marine Raider Battalion, suffered critical injuries when the MRZR tactical vehicle he was driving experienced a rollover. He was medically evacuated to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He did not survive his injuries, passing away the evening of April 14. He was originally from Sacramento, Calif.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

Braica served in the Marine Corps for more than eight years, enlisting in July of 2010. He served as an intelligence specialist with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, and with Marine Aircraft Group 36. Braica deployed twice during his time in service. In 2011, he deployed as an intelligence specialist with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Pacific Command area of operations. Braica completed MARSOC’s arduous training pipeline as a critical skills operator in 2015 and deployed with 1st Marine Raider Battalion to the Indo-Pacific Command region from July 2017 to January 2018. His personal decorations include: the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award; two Good Conduct Medals; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

Braica was a graduate of the Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, Marksmanship Instructor Course, MARSOC’s Individual Training Course, MARSOC’s Basic Language Course, the MARSOF Technical Surveillance Course, the MARSOF Network Operators Course, the Basic Airborne Course and Military Freefall School.

He is survived by his wife and son.

Our thoughts are with the family and teammates of Staff Sgt. Braica during this difficult time. MARSOC is providing care and support to them and we urge respect for their privacy as they grieve this loss.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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