Navy Lt. James E. Mazzuchelli
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR–Base officials released the name of a Navy sailor who died from his injuries after he was struck Feb. 21 by a spinning helicopter rotor blade at Camp Pendleton.
Navy Lt. James A. Mazzuchelli was a flight surgeon assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at Camp Pendleton.
“My heart goes out to our Sailor’s family as we support them through this difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, commanding general of 3rd MAW.
Mazzuchelli, 32, a native of Orange Park, Florida, commissioned in the Navy in June 2010. He previously deployed with HMLA-267 to Japan in 2016 as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
“Lt. James Mazzuchelli was an incredibly talented physician and Sailor,” said Col. Matthew Mowery, commanding officer of MAG-39. “His contagious enthusiasm, motivation, and love for the Marines and Sailors of HMLA-267 and MAG-39 has been evident in the outpouring of grief at his loss and the support being shown to his family and close friends. His willingness to join the Navy and elect to serve faithfully with the Marines should give a sense of pride to all of us who serve our country that we are surrounded by heroes every day. James and his contribution to our Corps will be sorely missed.”
Mazzuchelli was struck about 6:10 p.m. by a spinning UH-1Y Venom tail rotor blade while the aircraft was on deck at Camp Pendleton.
Emergency Medical Services transported Mazzuchelli to Scripps La Jolla Medical Center. He died from his injuries at approximately 5:43 a.m. on Saturday.
