Oak Creek Marine Presumed Dead In Accident Was Decorated Soldier

OAK CREEK, WI — 19-year-old Evan A. Bath from Oak Creek is one of eight U.S. service members missing and presumed dead following a Marine training exercise Thursday in California. Officials said Bath was a decorated soldier.

At the time of his death, he was assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

In order for a service member to be honored with the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, they must have served on active duty during anti-terrorism operation for at least 30 straight or 60 total days. The medal was created via executive order by President George W. Bush in

The National Defense Service Medal has been awarded to service members at different times in the last 70 years, and has most recently been awarded to service members who serve on active duty in the United States Armed Forces between Sep. 11, 2001 and the present. The medal brought into being by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953.

Officials said Marine Corps Pfc. Bath reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, on July 29, 2019. Upon his graduation, he reported to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton in Nov. 2019, where he was trained as a rifleman. On Jan. 29, he reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton.

"Rifleman are the foundation of Marine Corps infantry forces. A Battalion Landing Team provides a battalion of Marine infantry forces, reinforced with additional ground combat units and weapon systems, to form the Ground Combat Element of a Marine Expeditionary Unit," Marine officials said in a news release Monday afternoon.