California, United States — The United States Marine Corps confirmed the identities of the five Marines who lost their lives after a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed near Pine Valley, California, on February 6, 2024, during a training flight.
The tragedy occurred in mountainous terrain east of San Diego while the aircraft was returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Military officials later announced the names of the service members who were aboard the aircraft.
The fallen Marines were Lance Corporal Donovan Davis, Sergeant Alec Langen, Captain Benjamin Moulton, Captain Jack Casey, and Captain Miguel Nava.
According to the Marine Corps, the helicopter crew was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, known as the “Flying Tigers,” which is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California.
The youngest of the group was Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, a helicopter crew chief from Olathe, Kansas. Also serving as a crew chief was Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, from Chandler, Arizona.
The aircraft’s pilots were Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, from Emmett, Idaho; Capt. Jack Casey, 26, from Dover, New Hampshire; and Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, from Traverse City, Michigan.
Officials explained that the crew had been conducting flight training when the aircraft failed to arrive at its destination.
A search operation was launched, and the helicopter was later located in mountainous terrain near Pine Valley. All five Marines aboard were confirmed dead at the crash site.
The loss deeply affected the Marine Corps community and the families of the service members.
Lt. Col. Nicholas Harvey, the commanding officer of the squadron at the time, described the incident as every service family’s worst fear and emphasized that the immediate priority was supporting the families of the fallen Marines.
Tributes from across the United States honored the sacrifice of Donovan Davis, Alec Langen, Benjamin Moulton, Jack Casey, and Miguel Nava, whose dedication to service and aviation training ended in tragedy during the mission.
Their names continue to be remembered by fellow Marines, family members, and communities across the country.