Marine Raider Dies During U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course

The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) announced today the death of 28-year-old Sergeant Wolfgang “Wolf” K. Weninger. He sustained fatal injuries while participating in the U.S. Army’s Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.

There is an active investigation into the incident.

Weninger, an Ohio native, was assigned to the Marine Raider Training Center as a critical skills operator. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2015 and was the honor graduate out of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. He served from November 2015 to December 2018 as an armory custodian with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

Private First Class Wolfgang K. Weninger, honor graduate for Platoon 2061, Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, graduated boot camp Aug. 7, 2015. Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Schubert/Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, courtesy of DVIDS.

Weninger was reassigned as a student with the Initial Training Course class 19-1 with MARSOC in January 2019. He successfully graduated ITC in October 2019, granting him the Marine Special Operator Insignia and an MOS of 0372 Critical Skills Operator, aka Marine Raider.

The Defense Visual Information Distribution Service acquired a statement from Weninger’s ITC class 19-1 Instructor Cadre: “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.”

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Wolf Weninger — an incredibly smart, dedicated, and dependable Marine,” said Colonel Travis Homiak, commanding officer of Marine Raider Training Center. “Although he was just beginning his journey as a Marine Raider, his contributions to our legacy did not go unnoticed. He lived the ethos that defines our Marine Raider culture, possessing unsurmountable determination, a deep sense of integrity and an unconquerable spirit. That coupled with his witty sense of humor. He could always be sure to get a few laughs, even in the most challenging of times. We will continue to provide as much support as we can to Sgt. Weninger’s family as they mourn the tragic and unexpected loss of their son, brother, and friend.”

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Joshua Skovlund

Staff writer

Joshua is a staff writer for Coffee or Die Magazine. He has covered the 75th anniversary of D-Day in France, multinational military exercises in Germany, and civil unrest during the 2020 riots in Minneapolis that followed the death of George Floyd. Born and raised in small-town South Dakota, Joshua grew up playing football and soccer before serving as a forward observer in the US Army. After leaving the service, he earned his CrossFit Level 1 certificate and worked as a personal trainer while earning his paramedic license. Joshua went on to work in paramedicine for more than five years, much of that time in the North Minneapolis area, before transitioning to a career in multimedia journalism. Joshua is married, has two children, and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism. His creative outlets include Skovlund Photography and Concentrated Emotion, which is where he publishes poetry focused on his life experiences.