Marine General’s career ends after Eight Marines and One Sailor died in amphibious vehicle mishap 2020
April, 2021, the Marine Corps suspended Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, the inspector general of the Marine Corps and former 1st Marine Division commander, from his duties pending the outcome of a third investigation into a deadly sinking accident Marine Corps Times reported.
“The Commandant of the Marine Corps suspended Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi from serving as the Inspector General Marine Corps pending the outcome of the investigation led by Lt. Gen. Mundy into the formation of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit,” Marine spokesman Capt. Andrew Wood confirmed to Marine Corps Times
Maj. General Castellvi was in charge of the division when an AAV sank off San Diego’s coast last July, killing eight Marines and a Sailor. .
This week his career came to an end, according to Capt. Andrew Wood, a Marine spokesman, Washington Post reported.
The decision by Gen. David H. Berger, the service’s top officer, will be part of Castellvi’s permanent record and “must be considered if he is evaluated for promotion, retention, or roles of responsibility. This action typically prevents an officer from being promoted or serving in a role where he/she would be charged with the responsibility of caring for Marines and Sailors,” Wood said.
Major General Castellvi served as the Inspector General of the Marine Corps (Eff: 9 October 2020). He is from Chicago, IL, and earned his commission through the NROTC program following his graduation from the University of Illinois.
Major General Castellvi’s assignments in the Fleet Marine Force include: Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander, and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines (1985-88), participating in Operation EARNEST WILL in the Arabian Gulf with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU(SOC)); Platoon Commander and Executive Officer for Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, Atlantic (1988-91), deploying in support of JTF Panama; Rifle Company Commander, H&S Company Commander, and Battalion Operations Officer for 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, (1991-94) deploying with 15th MEU(SOC) to Somalia for Operation RESTORE HOPE and the Arabian Gulf for the Peacekeeping Phase of Operation DESERT STORM; Commanding Officer of 2d Battalion, 3d Marines (2001-03); Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division (2006-08), deploying to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM as the Senior Advisor to the 1st Iraqi Army Division; Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Division (2009- 11), deploying to Afghanistan for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as the Chief of Staff for Task Force Leatherneck; and as the Chief of Staff for I Marine Expeditionary Force (2011-13).
Other assignments include: Project Officer and Assistant. Program Manager for Anti-armor Weapons, Marine Corps Systems Command (1994-97); Plans Chief, U.S. Central Command Theater War Plans, Marine Forces Pacific and Marine Forces Central Command (1999-01); and National Defense Strategist and Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense (2004-06).
His previous assignments as a General Officer were as Commanding General Marine Corps Installations East, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (2013-15); as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Combined Joint Force Land Component Command, Iraq, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (2014-15); Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force / Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (2015-17); as Director of Manpower Management Division (2017-18); and as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (2018-20).
Major General Castellvi is a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advance Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has earned Master’s Degrees from the Marine Corps University, the National Defense University, and Capitol College.
Major General Castellvi was the 1993 recipient of the Leftwich Trophy for leadership. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit w/ Gold Star, Bronze Star w/Combat “V”, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/ three Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ two Gold Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon w/ Gold Star.
BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/4 HONORS MARINES, SAILOR AT MEMORIAL SERVICE
24 AUG 2020 | 1st Lt. Pedro Caballero15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Service members and families gathered on the morning of Aug. 21 to pay tribute to nine fallen service members of Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The memorial was held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s Camp Horno area to honor eight Marines and a Sailor from the 15th MEU who died in an assault amphibious vehicle mishap July 30:
Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 18, of Corona, California
Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California
Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (Fleet Marine Force) Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California
Lance Cpl. Jack-Ryan Ostrovsky, 20, of Bend, Oregon
Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 19, of New Braunfels, Texas
Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 22, of Harris, Texas
Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 18, of Portland, Oregon
Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California
Gnem was posthumously advanced to the rank of petty officer third class and posthumously awarded his enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist qualification, having met the criteria set by the Navy for both before his death.
Ostrovsky was posthumously advanced to the rank of lance corporal, having met the criteria set by the Marine Corps before his death.
“…I remain confident that the days ahead are shot through with hope – hope because men like them had the courage, the fortitude, and the commitment to train for and dedicate their lives in defense of this great nation.”
Col. Christopher J. Bronzi, 15th MEU’s commanding officer
Many Marines and Sailors took the opportunity to meet the families of their fallen brothers and offer condolences prior to the start of the ceremony.
A row of battlefield crosses and portraits of each Marine and Sailor were displayed at the outdoor event.
Col. Christopher J. Bronzi, commanding officer of the 15th MEU provided opening remarks.
“I think you’ll have an opportunity this morning to interact with and meet some of the men and women that knew your husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers better than anyone, other than yourselves,” said Bronzi. “As we experience this deep sadness at the loss of our brothers, I remain confident that the days ahead are shot through with hope – hope because men like them had the courage, the fortitude, and the commitment to train for and dedicate their lives in defense of this great nation.”
This was followed by an invocation from Navy Lt. Samuel Cho, BLT 1/4 chaplain, and the national anthem played by the 1st Marine Division Band.
Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner, commanding officer of BLT 1/4, addressed attendees.
“As our fallen hail from across this country and represent what’s finest about it, this truly is a national loss,” said Regner. “Our fallen brothers honor us by the manner with which they lived their lives, and we will never forget the last time we saw them … and now we remember them as they slip their earthly bonds, to give us overwatch from on high with God.”
The service concluded with 1st Sgt. Daniel Jacobson of Bravo Company, BLT 1/4 conducting the final roll call, a military ritual which pays tribute to fallen members of a unit by calling their names in formation for the last time in the Marine Corps to signify their absence, followed by the firing of a three-volley salute and the playing of “Taps”.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy E. Black; Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force; Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, commanding general, 1st Marine Division; and Rear Adm. Gregory N. Todd, Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps.