The Marine Corps identified Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Barron, 24, of Spokane, Wash., as the Marine who died Sunday when his aircraft crashed in Hawaii.
Barron was a tiltrotor crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Rein.), part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His MV-22 Osprey crashed while conducting training at Marine Corps Training Area – Bellows as part of the amphibious exercise Culebra Koa 2015.
Twenty-one others were taken to area hospitals for treatment after the accident.
“Words cannot express our sorrow at the tragic loss of this fine young man. He is the best our nation has to offer,” Col Vance Cryer, commanding officer of 15th MEU, said in a statement.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the families of all the Marines involved in Sunday’s crash. If there is anything positive to relay in this situation it is the heroic, selfless actions of the Marines aboard the aircraft, along with the quick life-saving actions of the civilian and military first-responders.”
15th MEU departed California with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG/MEU) earlier this month for a seven-month deployment to the Middle East and Western Pacific.
Barron was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California prior to deploying with the MEU. He earned the National Defense Medal and Global War on Terrorism Medal during his service.
I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) is coordinating the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, according to the statement.
