Current:Home > MyMilitary names 5 Marines killed in helicopter crash in California mountains. All were in their 20s. -Edge Finance Strategies
Military names 5 Marines killed in helicopter crash in California mountains. All were in their 20s.
View
Date:2025-04-14 00:51:47
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Marine Corps released the names Friday of the five Marines killed when their CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went down in the mountains outside San Diego during a historic storm. All of them were in their 20s.
The decorated Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and were based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
“We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron. “The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together.”
The youngest was Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, who was just promoted to the rank of lance corporal on New Year’s Day. The oldest was Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan.
Davis and Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, were both crew chiefs. The rest were CH-53E pilots.
“We will miss him dearly,” his mother Caryn Langen told KNSD-TV of San Diego.
The other pilots on board were Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, and Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho.
The Super Stallion vanished late Tuesday night on its way back to Miramar from Creech Air Force Base. The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near the mountain community of Pine Valley.
The military confirmed Thursday that all five Marines were killed when their helicopter went down during stormy weather, and efforts were underway to recover their remains, which will take weeks because of the rough terrain and weather, said Col. James C. Ford, operations officer with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. In the meantime, Marines are staying with the remains round-the-clock to adhere to their ethos of never leaving any Marine behind.
The military is investigating the crash.
veryGood! (4687)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Kansas governor announces Juneteenth will be observed as a state holiday
- Judge makes ruling on who can claim historic shipwreck — and its valuable treasures — off Florida coast
- Will Hurd suspends presidential campaign, endorses Nikki Haley
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Washington AD Troy Dannen takes swipe at Ohio State, Texas: 'They haven't won much lately'
- Wrong-way driver causes fiery wreck western Georgia highway, killing 3, officials say
- Raiders vs. Packers Monday Night Football highlights: Las Vegas ends three-game skid
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones still believes Dak Prescott can take team to Super Bowl
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- How Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Are Slaying the Learning Curve of Parenting
- Brooke Burke says she 'will always have a crush' on former 'DWTS' dance partner Derek Hough
- 104-year-old Chicago woman dies days after making a skydive that could put her in the record books
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- West Maui starts reopening to tourists as thousands still displaced after wildfires: A lot of mixed emotions
- Star witness Caroline Ellison starts testimony at FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial
- October Prime Day 2023 Deals on Tech & Amazon Devices: $80 TV, $89 AirPods & More
Recommendation
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
'Always worried about our safety': Jews and Palestinians in US fearful after Hamas attack
Several more people arrested over a far-right German plot to launch a coup and kidnap a minister
'The Voice': Reba McEntire loses 4-chair singer after sabotaging John Legend with block
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
'I am Lewis': Target's Halloween jack-o'-latern decoration goes viral on TikTok
'Aggressive' mama bear, cub euthanized after sow charges at 2 young boys in Colorado
5 Things podcast: Israel hits Gaza with slew of airstrikes after weekend Hamas attacks