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US Marine killed over Persian Gulf is identified

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) — The Marine Corps has identified a 21-year-old corporal who died after bailing out of his aircraft over the Persian Gulf.

The service said Friday that Jordan Spears of Memphis, Indiana, enlisted in 2010 and was on his first deployment. A memorial service will held aboard the USS Makin Island, which is being hosted by Bahrain on a mission to support military operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

Spears and another crewman bailed out of the MS-22 Osprey after takeoff Wednesday from the ship. The pilot regained control and returned. The other crewman was rescued in stable condition.

Spears belonged to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Pendleton, California.

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