Major General William F. Mullen II spoke with Marines of the Battle Color Detachment after their performance at Twentynine Palms, Ca., March 14, 2018. (DVIDS)
Last June, the military community mourned the sudden and tragic loss of Retired Major General William F. Mullen III, a well-respected leader who dedicated 34 years of his life to serving the US Marine Corps.
Mullen, as reported, was found deceased at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California, where he had been staying for a temporary visit.
An autopsy report later revealed that his death was due to natural causes, shedding light on the final moments of a man who had given so much to his country.
A Recap On His Sudden Death
The circumstances surrounding Mullen’s death began on the morning of June 29th, when staff at the Roadrunner Inn, a lodging facility on the base, noticed that he had not checked out as scheduled.
Concerned, they attempted to reach him and, when there was no response, pried open the door to his room. Inside, they found the Marine veteran unresponsive.
Paramedics were called to the scene and confirmed his death at 1:39 PM. Due to the nature of his condition, no resuscitation efforts were made, according to reports.
Mullen was 59.
Autopsy Findings
An autopsy conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department coroner provided the definitive cause of Maj. Gen. Mullen’s death: a pulmonaryembolism.
Last June, the military community mourned the sudden and tragic loss of Retired Major General William F. Mullen III, a well-respected leader who dedicated 34 years of his life to serving the US Marine Corps.
Mullen, as reported, was found deceased at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California, where he had been staying for a temporary visit.
An autopsy report later revealed that his death was due to natural causes, shedding light on the final moments of a man who had given so much to his country.
A Recap On His Sudden Death
The circumstances surrounding Mullen’s death began on the morning of June 29th, when staff at the Roadrunner Inn, a lodging facility on the base, noticed that he had not checked out as scheduled.
Concerned, they attempted to reach him and, when there was no response, pried open the door to his room. Inside, they found the Marine veteran unresponsive.
Paramedics were called to the scene and confirmed his death at 1:39 PM. Due to the nature of his condition, no resuscitation efforts were made, according to reports.
Mullen was 59.
Autopsy Findings
An autopsy conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department coroner provided the definitive cause of Maj. Gen. Mullen’s death: a pulmonaryembolism.
The report detailed how a blood clot, known medically as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), had formed in Mullen’s left leg. This clot eventually dislodged and traveled to his lungs, where it blocked both the left and right sides of his pulmonary arteries, leading to a fatal embolism.
In the months leading up to his death, Mullen had experienced some health issues, including lung problems and a persistent cough.
Although he had consulted a doctor and was prescribed an inhaler, he was otherwise considered healthy, with no diagnosed medical conditions that would have predicted such an outcome.
The autopsy noted that while Mullen’s family had a history of heart problems, the exact cause of the blood clot remained unknown. Genetic predispositions to clotting were suggested as a possible factor.
Despite the clear findings of the autopsy, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has continued to investigate Mullen’s death, according to reports.
As of now, the investigation remains open, with no specific timeline for its completion.
NCIS has been careful not to comment on the specifics of the case or the autopsy findings, emphasizing that each death investigation is unique and can take several months, if not longer, to conclude.
Mullen’s family, who are maintaining their privacy during this difficult time, has also declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Mullen’s Three-Decade Career and Legacy
Maj. Gen. William Mullen’s death marks the sad end of a distinguished military career.
An artillery officer by training, Mullen served multiple deployments to Iraq, where he earned respect for his leadership and tactical acumen.
In 2016, he took command of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, a position that underscored his importance within the Marine Corps. His final assignment before retiring in 2020 was as the commanding general of the Marine Corps Training and Education Command, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of Marines.
Mullen’s dedication to his country and the Marine Corps did not go unnoticed. Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, head of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, paid tribute to Mullen’s legacy.
“Maj. Gen. Mullen’s dedicated service to our nation and the Marine Corps will always be remembered,” Savage toldMilitary.com last month following the news of Mullen’s death.
The retired Marine’s peers and subordinates alike have expressed their deep respect for his leadership, his commitment to excellence, and his unwavering service.
Final Thoughts
While his passing is deeply felt, Maj. Gen. Mullen’s legacy of service and leadership will continue to inspire those who follow him. As the investigation into his death continues (and may soon be concluded with the release of the autopsy results), the military community is taking time to honor and remember a man who dedicated his life to the Marine Corps and protecting the country.
—
Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are
on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.