Osburn’s Mayo Looks For Land Duty Marine Who Fell Off Ship Applies For Posting As Embassy Guard

Sailor, swimmer, survivor Zach Mayo may leave aircraft carriers permanently to become an embassy guard.

The 20-year-old Marine lance corporal from Osburn, who spent 36 hours in the North Arabian Sea last November after falling off the U.S.S. America, is applying for special duty as a Marine security guard. There’s nothing unusual in Mayo’s request, the Marine Corps said.

“Any Marine is eligible,” said Lt. Scott Gordon of Marine Corps public affairs. “It’s completely separate from him falling off of the ship, in my mind.”

Mayo talked about putting in for the special detail when he was in Washington, D.C., in December, shortly after his rescue by Pakistani fishermen, Gordon said.

Marines who apply to become embassy guards are screened for physical fitness - something Mayo should have proven by treading water for 36 hours. They also take a written test, and are screened for appearance, Gordon said.

If Mayo is chosen, it likely means he’s given up sailing for quite awhile. The Marine Corps gave him about a two-month recruiting leave in his native North Idaho after his rescue.

Mayo returned to Cherry Point, N.C., the permanent home for his Marine aviation squadron, just last week. The Marines decided not to send him back to sea because his squadron is almost done with its tour on the aircraft carrier.

In another development, a U.S. Navy investigation has revealed that Mayo was not discovered missing until 29 hours after he fell from the ship.

Mayo was temporarily assigned to a Navy hazardous material detail but continued to work out with his Marine buddies instead of going to the Navy’s morning roll call. So his absence from the 7 a.m. head count wasn’t unusual, said Capt. T.V. Johnson, a Marine Corps public affairs officer.

When the Marine Corps conducted its own roll call at 7 a.m. on Nov. 25, it was clear Mayo was missing. After a three-hour search of the ship, which has more than 4,200 people on board, an air and sea search was launched - to no avail.

Mayo was picked up by Pakistani fishermen and taken to their home port. That may account for the rumor that he wants to be posted at the U.S. Embassy in Karachi, Pakistan, if he is picked for guard duty.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo