5 Marines Killed in CH-53 Crash Identified

(Top row, left to right) Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot; Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter pilot; (Bottom row, left to right) Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot; Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief; Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Marines)

The 3rd Marine Air Wing has identified the 5 Marines killed in a CH-53 crash on Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, enlisted in 2019, and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal on Jan.1 and served as a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.

Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, enlisted in 2017, was promoted to sergeant in 2022 and served as a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.

Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, commissioned in the Marine Corps in 2019 and achieved the rank of Captain in 2023. He was a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, commissioned in 2019, and was promoted to the rank of captain in 2023 and was a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, commissioned in 2017, was promoted to captain in 2021 and served as a CH-53E helicopter pilot.

“We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family’s worst fear,” Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron, said in the statement. “Our top priority now is supporting the families of our fallen heroes, and we ask for your respect and understanding as they grieve.”

The CH-53 Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter was en-route from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to MCAS Miramar, California when the aircraft went down near Pine Valley, California. 

Requiescat in Pace