Marine dead after parachute training exercise goes awry

By TBO.COM | Tbo.com
Published: September 11, 2009

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WACHULA --

A U.S. Marine died Thursday afternoon when his parachute didn't open during a training exercise, according to the Hardee County Sheriff's Office.

Sgt. Jeremiah D. McGraw, 22, of Boynton Beach, was a Selected Reserve Marine assigned to the 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company out of West Palm Beach.

The Marines were parachuting from a C130 aircraft south of the Ona community, four miles southwest of Wachula Municipal Airport. McGraw was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said.

McGraw was an automotive mechanic in the Marines. He was promoted to sergeant in July and was a recipient of the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

The incident is under investigation, according to the Marine Corps.