Marines

Safety officials search for missing Lejeune Marine

13 May 2004 | Lance Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Officials searched Northeast Creek Thursday afternoon for a Marine reported missing by his wife earlier that morning, base fire officials say. 

Private first class Thomas C. Rozensky II, assigned with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Food Service Company, 2nd Force Service Support Group, and on convalescent leave, was reported missing to his unit on the morning of May 13 by his wife, according to a statement released by the Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Office.

Around noon May 13, Rozensky’s vehicle was found eastbound on Highway 24 near Northeast Creek and the Camp Lejeune main gate.  Search dogs and underwater search equipment from the Camp Lejeune Fire and Emergency Services were brought in to aid in the search. 

“We were requested by NCIS [Naval Criminal Investigative Service] to come out and search the area with underwater search equipment,” said Rob Lewis, an assistant chief with the Fire and Emergency Services based here.  “This is blackwater here, so it’s hard to even see your hand in front of you.”

Officials hope images recorded with the sonar search equipment used at Northeast Creek may provide clues to the Marine’s disappearance.

“We will be looking at the data more closely this evening,” Lewis said.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Jacksonville Police Department are also involved in the search but were unavailable for comment.  Fire Officials say search and rescue efforts will resume tomorrow morning at Northeast Creek.