Cpl. Noah Huff, seen here working aboard the USS Tripoli in 2022, was struck and killed by a train in Iwakuni city, Japan, May 11, 2024. (Christopher Lape/U.S. Marine Corps)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — A Marine stationed at this base south of Hiroshima was hit and killed by a freight train over the weekend, according to Marine Corps and police spokesmen.

Cpl. Noah Huff, 22, of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242’s powerline section, died early Saturday in Iwakuni city, Marine Aircraft Group 12 spokesman 1st Lt. Daniel Kim told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday.

Huff was hit on the JR Sanyo mainline south of Kawashimo while crossing between Iwakuni and Minami-iwakuni stations, an Iwakuni city police spokesman said by phone Tuesday.

The city fire department reported the incident to police at 3:03 a.m., he said. Some government officials in Japan may speak to reporters only on condition of anonymity.

“The squadron grieves the loss of an exceptional Marine,” Huff’s commander, Lt. Col. Alexander Mellman, said by email Wednesday. “Corporal Noah Huff served honorably overseas with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 as a motivated powerliner — responsible for safe launches, recoveries, and operations of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.”

Kim said he could provide no further information due to the ongoing police investigation.

Huff’s body was returned to the United States on Tuesday, he said.

“He leaves behind a loving spouse, devoted parents, siblings, and 349 brothers and sisters in arms,” Mellman said.