5 Marines Killed in San Diego Helicopter Crash Identified
The five Marines killed in a helicopter crash in San Diego have been identified. The crash included three pilots and two crew chiefs.
Marines Killed in the Crash
The five Marines killed when their CH-53E helicopter crashed overnight in the San Diego mountains included three pilots and two crew chiefs, according to the service. All of the Marines were stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361.
Lt. Col. Nicholas Harvey, the commanding officer of HMH-361, expressed that the crash is every military family's worst fear. He stated, 'We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear. Our top priority now is supporting the families of our fallen heroes, and we ask for your respect and understanding as they grieve.'
Marines' Identities
The five Marines who lost their lives in the helicopter crash have been identified. They are:
1. Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, a CH-53E pilot from Traverse City, Michigan, who commissioned in the Marines in 2017.
2. Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, a CH-53E pilot from Emmett, Idaho, who commissioned in the Marines in 2019.
3. Capt. Jack Casey, 26, a CH-53E pilot from Dover, New Hampshire, who earned his Marine Corps commission in 2019.
4. Marine Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, from Chandler, Arizona, who served as a CH-53E crew chief and enlisted in 2017.
5. Marine Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, from Olathe, Kansas, who served as a CH-53E helicopter crew chief and enlisted in 2019.
Investigation Ongoing
An investigation into the helicopter crash is currently ongoing. The five Marines were returning to their base in San Diego from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada when the crash occurred in the East County mountains near Pine Valley.
