Three Marine Officers Relieved of Duty over Deadly Training Incident

Seven Marines killed when mortar exploded during exercise

Three officers have been relieved of duty after seven Marines were killed during a training exercise at a Nevada Army facility, the Marine Corps confirmed Thursday.

"The investigation is not complete, but the preliminary findings did influence the general's decision" to remove the three, according to 1st Lt. Oliver David, spokesman for the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The seven enlisted Marines were killed March 18 when a 60-millimeter mortar exploded prematurely during a night-time exercise at the Hawthorne Army Depot south of Reno, Nev.