Donovan Davis, Jack Casey, Benjamin Moulton, Miguel Nava, Alec Langen.Photo:Travis Manion Foundation/ Facebook
Travis Manion Foundation/ Facebook
The five Marines whodied in a military helicopter crashin California earlier this week have been identified.
Lance Corporal Donovan Davis, 21, of Kansas, Sergeant Alec Langen, 23, of Arizona, Captain Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Idaho, Captain Jack Casey, 26, of New Hampshire, and Captain Miguel Nava, 28, of Michigan, were killed in the “mishap” on Wednesday, according to anews releasefrom the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
“We will miss him dearly,” said Langen’s mother in a statement toNBC affiliate KSND.
Nava was the first of the five to join the Marine Corps on May 26, 2017, and was promoted to Captain on Nov. 1, 2021, according to the Marines. Langen was next to enlist on September 14, 2017. The Arizona man was promoted to Sergeant on Oct. 1, 2022.
The crew was “conducting routine flight training” when the incident occurred, the Marines added.
Cassandra described her late husband as a “funny” and “generous” person who cared “for so many people” in life. “He was everything I could have dreamed about,” she said.
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Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of HMH-361, said the Marines’ top priority “is supporting the families of our fallen heroes.”
“We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” Harvey said in Friday’s release. He said the Flying Tigers family is standing “strong” in the wake of the tragedy.
“We will get through this together," Harvey said.
TheTravis Manion Foundation, which works with families of fallen military members, said the five men’s “selfless dedication and sacrifice to protect our nation will never be forgotten.”
“To the families of these fallen heroes and fellow service members, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time,” they added.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
source: people.com
