Commander Peter G. Oswald died on August 27, 2002 of injuries sustained during a training-related accident in southern El Salvador. The exercise used the standard fast roping technique to exit a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Oswald was the commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Unit Four based at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico – a unit in charge of naval special operations missions and training for the Southern Command. He was a star student and athlete at the United States Naval Academy, which he graduated from in 1984.

Commander Oswald is survived by his parents, two brothers, his wife, and three daughters.

“He was on the fast track to being one of the top leaders of the community. This is a tight knit community. Most of the SEALs knew him and are devastated by his tragic loss,” said Lt. Commander Darryn James, spokesman for the Naval Special Warfare division in San Diego.

CDR Oswald was honored through the Travis Manion Foundation Character Does Matter presented during the USNA’s Summer Seminar and USNA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Camp for rising 11th graders.

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