GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - A memorial has been scheduled in West Michigan to honor the life and legacy of Marine Capt. Miguel Nava, one of five Marines killed when a helicopter crashed near San Diego during stormy weather earlier this month.
According to a social media post made by Comstock Park High School, a celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on March 3 at the school located at 160 Six Mile Road NE in Comstock Park, roughly 9 miles north of Grand Rapids.
Doors at the main auditorium entrance in front of the high school will open at 1:15 p.m. The event will have seating available in the gym for the public who wish to pay their respects while family and close friends of the family will be seated in the auditorium.
In lieu of flowers, the Nava family has suggested donations to the Travis Manion Foundation.
The 28-year-old Traverse City native was a helicopter pilot assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
The Associated Press reports that Nava was the oldest of the five victims. The youngest of the five was Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, who was just promoted to the rank of lance corporal on New Year's Day.
Davis and Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, were both crew chiefs. The other decorated Marines, identified as Capts. Benjamin Moulton of Emmitt, Idaho and Jack Casey of Dover, New Hampshire, were CH-53E pilots.
A massive search for the young men was launched back on February 6 after their helicopter went unaccounted for during routine training from Creech Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada to their station in San Diego.
Efforts were made possible with help from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Forest Service, the State of California Department of Forest and Fire Protection, the California Highway Patrol, the United States Coast Guard, and many others, officials for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Command said in press release.
The helicopter was discovered a day later in Pine Valley, California with the all five Marine onboard confirmed deceased at the crash site.
"We have been confronted with a tragedy that is every service family's worst fear," said Lt. Col. Nicholas J. Harvey, commanding officer of the squadron. "The Flying Tigers family stands strong and includes the friends and community who have supported our squadron during this challenging time. We will get through this together."
The military is still investigating the crash.
Nava earned his commission with the Marine Corps on May 26, 2017 and was promoted to captain on Nov. 1, 2021. His decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Nava is survived by his wife and young son.
