Four U.S. Marines killed in a helicopter crash during a NATO training exercise in Norway have been identified.
The Marine Corps revealed the identities of the four men in a statement on Sunday as Cpl. Jacob M. Moore, 24, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky; Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy, 30, of Cambridge, Ohio; Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Capt. Ross A. Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, Massachusetts.
Marines Identify Four Killed in MV-22B Crash Site in Arctic Norway – USNI Newshttps://t.co/INKNbW4Yvu pic.twitter.com/8A4m1RP1ur
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) March 21, 2022
The four Marines served in the “Raging Bulls” of Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station in New River, North Carolina.
The four men were reported missing on Friday evening after failing to report back following a training mission in northern Norway, according to the statement. The incident involved an MV-22B Osprey.
“Norwegian search aircraft, including a rescue helicopter from the airbase and a Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, found a suspected crash site but could not reach the location by air and local rescue crews had to reach the site from the ground,” the report added.
“The four crew members have been retrieved from the accident site by a Sea King rescue helicopter from Norwegian 330 Squadron. The deceased will remain in Bodø until being transported back to the USA,” the Norwegian military said in a separate statement.
The U.S. Naval Institute issued the following biographical information regarding each of the deceased Marines:
Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz served as an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Tomkiewicz, 27, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, joined the Marine Corps June 18, 2015. Tomkiewicz’ decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Capt. Ross A. Reynolds served as an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Reynolds, 27, from Leominster, Mass., joined the Marine Corps May 13, 2017. Reynolds’ decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and multiple certificates and letters of appreciation.Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy served as an administrative specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Speedy, 30, from Cambridge, Ohio, joined the Marine Corps June 15, 2009. Speedy’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, and multiple certificates and letters of appreciation.
Cpl. Jacob M. Moore served as an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Moore, 24, from Catlettsburg, Kentucky, joined the Marine Corps August 20, 2018. Moore’s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Indiana Republican Sen. Mike Braun released a statement on Twitter on Sunday regarding Tomkiewicz.
“Praying for the family, friends, and community of Capt. Matthew Tomkiewicz from Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of the four Marines who died on Friday in Norway during a NATO exercise when their aircraft crashed. We honor Capt. Tomkiewicz’s service and we’ll never forget his sacrifice,” he wrote.
Praying for the family, friends, and community of Capt. Matthew Tomkiewicz from Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of the four Marines who died on Friday in Norway during a NATO exercise when their aircraft crashed. We honor Capt. Tomkiewicz’s service and we’ll never forget his sacrifice.
— Senator Mike Braun (@SenatorBraun) March 21, 2022
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Source: Dailywire
