Marine Forces Special Operations Command announced the death of a Marine Raider, SGT Wolfgang Weninger, from an airborne training accident at Fort Benning, Georgia on June 16, 2020. He was attending the U.S. Army’s Basic Airborne Course and suffered fatal injuries during a parachute jump.
Sergeant Weninger was a critical skills operator assigned to the Marine Raider Training Center. He reported to MARSOC in January 2019 as a student and completed the MARSOC Individual Training Course in October 2019, earning the Marine Special Operator Insignia and the 0372 Critical Skills Operator MOS.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 2015, and completed recruit training as the Honor Graduate for Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island. He went on to serve as an armory custodian with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, from 2015 to 2018.
“Wolf was exactly what we look for when training students to become Marine Raiders. He was a consistent top performer, a natural leader, he never complained, and was always there to pick up his team during challenging events. He was an avid and talented hockey player, and could often be found on the ice, even after a grueling and exhausting week of training. We were proud and honored to have him join this formation and become a part of the Marine Raider legacy. We extend our sincere condolences to his family at this time.”
Statement released by the instructor cadre for ITC Class 19-1, June 18, 2020
Born and raised in Auburn, Ohio, Weninger graduated from Kenston High School. He was 28 years old. He was active in high school sports. He would go on to compete at the college level in football. He attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and then later Valparaiiso University in Indiana. At age 23 he joined the Marine Corps.
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More articles on SGT Wolfgang Weninger:
“US Marine killed in parachute jump found purpose in service”, by James Laporta, Associated Press, June 19, 2020.
“Corps identifies Marine Raider killed in airborne training accident”, Marine Corps Times, June 18, 2020.
Photo: Provided by MARSOC.
