The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit held a memorial service to remember three Marines who died in an Aug. 5 MV-22 Osprey crash.
The Aug. 9 sunset service aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) honored 1st Lt. Benjamin Cross, Cpl. Nathaniel Ordway and Pfc. Ruben Velasco.
“Several speakers remembered Cross, Ordway and Velasco during the memorial, offering their fellow Marines an opportunity to recall shared moments, common aspirations and stories of the three who gave their last full measure of devotion,” according to Marine Corps photo captions.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller visited 31st MEU on Aug. 8, after all flight operations were paused for two days to allow for an initial investigation into the crash. The Marine Corps has not commented yet on the cause of the crash, but operations have resumed.
“The loss of every Marine is felt across our entire Marine Corps family. To the families of the brave Marines we lost – there is no way for us to understand what you are going through,” Col. Tye Wallace, commanding officer of 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said in an Aug. 7 Marine Corps news release.
“What we do know is that your Marines left a lasting impression on the 31st MEU, the Marine Corps, and the world. They will live on forever in our thoughts and our hearts. You will always be a part of the Marine Corps family, and you will remain in our prayers.”
