Marine Corps officials released the name of the sailor who died in a diving accident Monday in Okinawa.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jorge NoriegaSuarez was a Fleet Marine Force corpsman and 12-year Navy veteran, who was "involved in an apparent diving mishap at Mermaid Grotto, Manzo-Mo, Okinawa, resulting in his death at approximately 10:00 a.m.," III Marine Expeditionary Force said in a Wednesday news release.
A command investigation has begun into the cause of his death.
"3d Medical Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, is deeply saddened and shocked by the death of PO1 NoriegaSuarez," Navy Capt. Jason Darby, commanding officer of 3rd Medical Battalion, said in the news release. "He was a model Sailor, a father, and a valued member of every command he was assigned to."
NoriegaSuarez was from Barranquilla, Colombia, according to the statement. He enlisted in the Navy on July 13, 2004. He was previously stationed at Navy Branch Health Clinic Whiting Field, Pensacola, Fla., Marine Air Group 26, Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and had earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
