On Tuesday, Apr. 3, a Marine helicopter crashed in Southern California during a training mission. One of the four marines killed in the crash has since been identified as 33-year-old Derik Richard Holley, a Gunnery Sgt. from Dayton, OH.
The helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, went down around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, just a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a PBS report.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation at this time.
The other Marines lost in the crash have been identified as Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, First Lt. Samuel D. Phillips, and Lance Cpl. Joseph Conrad.
Holley’s mother told Dayton Daily News that he was born and raised in Maryland. His family relocated to Dayton because his father, who served 21 years in the Air Force, found work in the area. He was described by his mother as “a very outgoing, fun, great guy,” and “a loving son.”
“I know it’s never going to be the same and I wouldn’t expect it to be, but I just pray that his family is able to one day keep their heads up and get through everything and that they understand the amount of support they have,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Matt Spry, in an interview with Dayton Daily News.
Holley was previously stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico and MCAS Miramar and was deployed to Japan and twice to Iraq.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award), Air Medal-Strike/Flight (9th award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (4th award), according to ABC 11.
He is survived by a wife, Kasey, and a 7-year-old son.
“The hardest part of being a Marine is the tragic loss of life of a fellow brother-in-arms,” said Col. Craig Leflore, the aircraft group’s commanding officer, in an interview with NBC News.
“My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of Capt. Samuel Schultz, First Lt. Samuel Phillips, Gunnery Gt. Derik Holley, and Lance Cpl. Joseph Conrad,” said Leflore. “They each served honorably, wore the uniform proudly and were a perfect example of what makes our Marine Corps great – it’s people. They will forever be in our hearts and minds.”
