Marine Found Dead At Mojave Desert Base

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 2:46 pm

By: News On 6

BARSTOW, Calif. (AP) _ A Marine was found dead at a military base in the Mojave Desert, military officials said Wednesday. The Marine's father said officials told him the death was an accidental fall.

The body of Pfc. John P. Harris, 21, of Mount Solon, Va., was found early Monday at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, a vehicle repair center about 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Harris was an amphibious vehicle technician based at Camp Pendleton and assigned to Barstow, said 1st Lt. Amanda Freeman, a Marine spokeswoman.

Freeman said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which reviews any death on base, was looking into the case.

The Marine's father, Thomas Harris, said officials told him his son's death was the result of some sort of fall.

Harris said his son joined the Marines about a year ago and came from a military family.