One of five U.S. Marines who died during a MV-22B Osprey mishap this week was 33-year-old MV-22B Pilot Capt. John J. Sax of Placer, Calif., the son of former L.A. Dodgers baseball player Steve Sax.
Capt. Sax and, his fellow deceased Marines and others were conducting a routine flight training when the incident occurred. According to a press release from Maj. Mason Englehart, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, the mishap is currently under investigation.
“It is with complete devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny was one of the five (5) US Marines that perished on Wednesday, June 8, in the Osprey Military crash near San Diego,” Steve Sax, who was on the Dodgers for most of the 1980s, said in a statement, according to CBS. “For those of you that knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, bright light, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and defending our country! He was my hero and the best man I know, there was no better person to defend our country.”
Other Marines who died in the San Diego-area accident include: Tiltrotor crew chief Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Ill.; MV-22B Pilot Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, N.H.; Tiltrotor crew chief Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyo. And Tiltrotor crew chief Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, N.M.
They were assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of five Marines from the Purple Fox family” said Lt. Col. John C. Miller, Commanding Officer of VMM-364. “This is an extremely difficult time for VMM-364 and it is hard to express the impact that this loss has had on our squadron and its families. Our primary mission now is taking care of the family members of our fallen Marines and we respectfully request privacy for their families as they navigate this difficult time. We appreciate all the prayers and support from the strong extended Purple Fox family and want them to know that more information will be forthcoming on how to help.”
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