Drowning of Marine Recruit May Lead to Charges
Jason Tharp's parents, Linda and Johnny Tharp, hold a photo of their son. Eric Niiler, NPR hide caption
Jason Tharp's parents, Linda and Johnny Tharp, hold a photo of their son.
Eric Niiler, NPRA Blow Caught on Video
The day before he died, a TV crew taped an incident involving Jason Tharp and a drill instructor.
Marine officials said this week that instructors at Parris Island, S.C., could have prevented the drowning death of a young recruit last February.
The five-month investigation found instructors ignored or missed signs of trouble and allowed him to drown. Several may face criminal charges.
In Sutton, W.V., where 19-year old Jason Tharp lived with his parents and three siblings, his family still questions what happened to their son.
Jason loved to fish, but didn't know how to swim. He was quiet, an aspiring artist. After graduating from Braxton County High School, Jason worked at the Wendy's out at the interstate alongside his dad.
But when a pair of Marine recruiters stopped by Wendy's last fall, Jason was intrigued by their offer of scholarship money. He wrote seven letters home during his first four weeks of basic training. The final one reads, in part:
"I still don't think I belong here, I think I should come home... So if you can get me out, I will be forever grateful. Right now I don't care about the money... So if you can find it in yourself to get me out of here, I will be grateful. Love Jason."