A Marine discovered dead at a shooting range on Camp Pendleton Monday morning has been identified, base officials confirmed in a news release.
Lance Cpl. Dominic E. Schraft, 19, of Vienna, Missouri, who was assigned to Battery R, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, had a gunshot wound to the head when found at about 6 a.m. at Marksmanship Training Range 214.
Officials at the military base say the Marine was taking part in a training exercise in which live ammunition was used.
"He is loved and will be missed," Schraft's father Donald told NBC 7. "He loved life and was a proud Marine."
Schraft joined the Marine Corps in August 2014 and served as a field radio operator. He never deployed during his time in the Corps.
He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service medal.
His brother, who is also a Marine, is flying home from Japan to be with family during this hard time.
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"The command's priorities are to take care of the Marine's family and friends," said 1st Lt. Colleen McFadden, public affairs officer of 1st Mar. Div., in a statement. "We want to ensure these personnel are being provided for during this challenging time."
The investigation is ongoing and officials have released no further details.
