Two California Marines, including one from Southern California, were identified by their department in support of the Border Patrol after an accident Tuesday in New Mexico.
The First Marine Division of the Marine Corps, headquartered in Camp Pendleton, identified two late military personnel as Riverside Aboriginal Lance Lance CPL. Albert A. Aguilera and Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino of Fresno.
The third Marine was injured but survived the accident.
The three Marines were involved in a crash Tuesday in a convoy movement near San Teresa, New Mexico, despite their exact activities, the extent of injury, cause of death and incident schedule of the Third Marines was not disclosed by the military. The death was reportedly the first time as thousands of active-duty troops were sent to the U.S.-Mexico border, part of President Trump's efforts to cut illegal immigration.
The Washington Post reported that death was the result of vehicle rolling.
“We all feel the losses of Lance Aguilera and Lance Ganno,” Colonel Tyron A. Barrien said in a statement. “I express my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of our fallen brothers.”
After the crash, the Marines were taken to the University Medical Hospital in El Paso, where two Californians were pronounced dead.
The Third Marine Corps is still in critical condition
The crash is under investigation.
“Our priority right now is to ensure that their families and the Marines affected by the death are fully supported during this difficult time,” Barrien said.
According to data from the First Ocean Division, 22-year-old Aguilera enlisted in March 2023 and was promoted to Corporal Reims in May 2024.
Gamino, 28, is a decorative marine combat engineer, with the First Battle Engineer Battalion of the First Marine Corps. He enlisted in May 2022 and was promoted to Corporal of Reims in August 2024. He received a Department of Defense medal and a Maritime Service Deployment Ribbon, according to the Marine Corps Division 1.
Marines are in New Mexico, supporting joint task force operations on the southern border. Purpose of statement Task Force The creation of March is to help U.S. customs and border protection measures monitor the border between the United States and Mexico.
As the Northern Command Post described, the task force’s core mission is to detect and monitor the threats to the state by transnational criminal organizations.
Task Force was formed shortly after Trump's release Executive Order of January 20 Call for the suppression of illegal entries on the border.
