Corps officials have identified the Hawaii-based staff noncommissioned officer who died in California this week.
Gunnery Sgt. Eugene Jones, who was assigned to Headquarters Battalion at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, was pronounced dead on Wednesday after he was found unresponsive in his barracks room at Camp Pendleton, California. Jones had checked into the staff NCO academy at Pendleton Monday to attend an enlisted professional military education course.
Jones is survived by his wife and three children, according to a Marine Corps news release. His company commander called him an integral part of his team who will be sorely missed.
"He was as genuine as he was reliable," said 1st Lt. Nicklas Anthony. "Gunny was family oriented and fostered that mentality and closeness with his section and unit, making us all a family. He always had a positive attitude and readily went out of his way to help the team, regardless of what was needed."
Jones was at the academy to take the Advanced Career Course for gunnery sergeants and staff sergeants selected for gunny.
His death is currently under investigation.
