NCIS investigates after Major General found dead at Marine base

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the death of a military officer whose body was found at Naval Base Twentynine Palms, officials said.

Major General William F. Mullen was found dead Saturday at the Twentynine Palms base, according to San Bernardino County coroner’s records.

Mullen, once the base’s commanding general, retired in 2020.

Mara Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that NCIS is investigating the death at the facility, the largest Marine Corps training base in the world.

NCIS is the investigative agency of the U.S. Department of the Navy. The agency conducts criminal investigations and, according to its website, also investigates non-combat deaths of Navy or Marine Corps personnel.

NCIS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Major General Mullen’s dedicated service to our nation and the Marine Corps will always be remembered,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, commanding general of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Navy officials confirmed that NCIS is investigating the cause of death.

The autopsy is currently being conducted by the San Bernardino Medical Examiner, Rodriguez said, and the investigation is ongoing.

Before retiring, Mullen served as commanding general of the Training and Education Command, according to the U.S. Marine Corps. His extensive military background includes deployments to the Middle East, leading a counter-drug mission in the Los Padres National Forest and serving as Marine aide-de-camp to President Clinton.