One of the five Marines killed in a helicopter crash in California on Tuesday has been identified as a young Arizona man who got married last month.
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23 — who followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a Marine — was one of those aboard the CH-533 helicopter when it went down in the mountains outside San Diego, his mother, Caryn Langen, told NBC 7.
“Alec Langen was one of the Marines who was on the helicopter that crashed on Tuesday,” his family said in a statement. “We will miss him terribly.”
Langen served as Crew Chief during the ill-fated flight, his family told ABC15.
He had married in January, they added, with photos showing him kissing his bride, who the family has not identified.
Langen dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps to the Marines since childhood, his grieving loved ones remembered.
Alec Langen, 23, died in a helicopter crash late Tuesday. Caryn Langen
“Ever since he was three years old, he was like, ‘I want to do what daddy does,'” his father, Steven Langen, told ABC15. “I did the same thing. I was in the same helicopter, all the same from ’86 to ’95.”
“Being a Marine to Alec was everything. Steve pinned his wings to him when he finished training. He idolized his father,” Caren agreed.
Stay updated with the latest coverage of 5 marines found dead after missing helicopter found
- Investigators first confirmed that the five marines on board the plane were killed after finding the missing military helicopter in the incident.
- The helicopter returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar after training at Creech Air Force Base outside Las Vegas.
- The debris was found Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about an hour from San Diego, California.
- Efforts to recover the bodies of the five Marines are underway, as well as an investigation into the crash.
The group flew back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego from Creech Air Force Base outside Las Vegas. The Marines later confirmed that all five died in the crash. The other four Marines have not been publicly identified.
Langen just got married last month, his family said. Facebook/ Alec Langen
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, wrote .
The victim’s body is still being guarded by fellow Marines while an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway, officials added Thursday.
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The cause of the crash is still under investigation. AP
California’s Gavin Newsom said that “California joins the nation in mourning the great loss of this Marine.”
“Their dedication to serving our country will always be remembered,” he said, according to NBC 7.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
