Caleb Medley - Marine - California

Marine Caleb Medley, age 26, of Colorado, died in the line of duty on February 26, 2013, in Perris, Riverside County, California. 

Caleb was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. He was an assistant radio operator with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

He was on a skydiving training exercise with other marines. His parachute failed to open and he fell to his death. 

This tragedy occurred at Perris Valley Skydiving, which is not a government run facility. However, military personnel do skydiving training exercises there. Military personnel from around the world have been training at the site for the past decade. There have been at least 15 deaths at the site since 2000, with about 140,000 jumps taking place every year.

Gabriel, Archangel, who stands
in the presence of God, pray for Caleb

Since this terrible tragedy occurred in February of 2013 and 15 deaths have apparently occurred at this site since 2000 - then on average more than 1 person has died there every year. If this many deaths occur, then perhaps the 140,000 jumps per year are beyond their capacity to safely handle.

One of mankind's primal fears is the fear of falling. The fear of falling is evident in infants and across all cultures. Falling to one's death is particularly gruesome.

The Government of California and the Federal Government should be looking into the operations of this skydiving company with a view to determining what is going on there.  The military should suspend contracting out skydiving training exercises to this company, pending investigation.

Caleb was a combat veteran who had previously served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Caleb had received two combat Action Ribbons for having been under fire.

Our soldiers die in the line of duty even when they are not in combat zones.

Caleb is survived by many loving friends and relatives.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen.

Thank you for serving, Caleb.

Let us pray that Caleb Medley is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.