Update:
The U.S. Marine Corps has, “with great regret,” announced the names of and other information on the those who perished in the KC-130T Hercules crash in Mississippi July 10.
Out of respect for those killed and for their families and loved ones, the unabridged announcement is provided here:
Full name: Ryan M. Lohrey
Pay entry base date: Sept. 26, 2007
Rank and date of rank: Petty Officer 2nd Class/ Dec. 16, 2012
Home of record: Middletown, IN
Present Duty Station: 2d Marine Raider Battalion, MARSOC
Military Occupational Specialty: Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom, October 2010 to May 2011; Operation Inherent Resolve, July 2016 to January 2017.
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Purple Heart; Combat Action Ribbon (two); Good Conduct Medal (three); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two); Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; NATO Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon; Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon
Full name: Caine M. Goyette
Pay entry base date: Dec. 5, 1994
Rank and date of rank: Major/Nov. 1, 2012
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 7557, KC-130 Aircraft Commander
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom, September 2005
Special Purpose MAGTF-12, Dec. 2011 to April 2012; SPMAGTF-12, June 2012 to July 2012; Operation Enduring Freedom 14.1 Transition, June 2014
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal (two), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (two), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Letter of Appreciation, Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award)
Full name: Sean E. Elliott
Pay entry base date: May 4, 2009
Rank and date of rank: Captain/Oct. 1, 2013
Home of record: Orange, California
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 7557, KC-130 Aircraft Commander
Deployment dates and locations: WesPac16, August 2016 to February 2017
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two), Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (two), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal National Defense Service Medal, Letter of Appreciation (two)
Full name: Mark A. Hopkins
Pay entry base date: Sept. 4, 2001
Rank and date of rank: Gunnery Sergeant/May 1, 2014
Home of record: Chesapeake, Virginia
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 7372, Tactical Systems Operator/Mission Specialist
Deployment dates and locations: Contingency Operations ISO JTF -536/Humanitarian Mission, January 2005; Operation Enduring Freedom, August 2005 to September 2005; Operation Enduring Freedom 141, May to June 2014; Operation Enduring Freedom 142, July to August 2001
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (five); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four); Humanitarian Service Medal (four); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Letter of Appreciation; Certificate of Appreciation
Full name: Brendan C. Johnson
Pay entry base date: Sept. 26, 1994
Rank and date of rank: Gunnery Sergeant/April 1, 2010
Home of record: Chittenden, Vermont
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6276, Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom Southwest Asia, July 2002 to November 2002; Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom Southwest Asia, May 2003 to July 2003
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Reserve
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three); Air Medal-Strike/Flight; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (four); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (two); Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (three); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two); Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two); Armed Forces Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (three); Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two); Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award); Letter of Appreciation (five)
Full name: Joshua M. Snowden
Pay entry base date: July 19, 2004
Rank and date of rank: Staff Sergeant/July 10, 2017
Home of record: Dallas, Texas
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6276, Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom 14.1 Transition, June 2014; Operation Enduring Freedom 14.2 Transition, July 2014 to August 2014; Special Purpose MAGTF, October 2014 to January 2015
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Reserve
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Air Medal-Strike/Flight, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (two), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (three) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award); Letter of Appreciation (two)
Full name: Julian M. Kevianne
Pay entry base date: Dec. 1, 2009
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/April 1, 2015
Home of record: Dallas, Texas
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6276, Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom 12.2, November 2012 to March 2013
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Reserve
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (two); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Letter of Appreciation (six); Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award)
Full name: Owen J. Lennon
Pay entry base date: Oct. 12, 2010
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/Jan. 1, 2015
Home of record: Rockland, New York
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6276, Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom 12.2, November 2012 to March 2013
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Reserve
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (one); Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award); Meritorious Mast (two); Letter of Appreciation (three); Certificate of Appreciation
Full name: Daniel I. Baldassare
Pay entry base date: Sept. 14, 2015
Rank and date of rank: Corporal/June 1, 2017
Home of record: Monmouth, New Jersey
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6276, Fixed Wing Aircraft Crew Master KC-130
Deployment dates and locations: None
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal
Full name: Collin J. Schaaff
Pay entry base date: Aug. 26, 2013
Rank and date of rank: Corporal/Dec. 1, 2015
Home of record: Pierce, Washington
Present Duty Station: VMGR 452, MAG 49, 4th MAW
Military Occupational Specialty: 6531, Aircraft Ordnance Technician
Deployment dates and locations: None
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Letter of Appreciation (two); Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award)
Full name: Robert H. Cox
Pay entry base date: July 23, 2007
Rank and date of rank: Staff Sergeant/Oct. 1, 2016
Home of record: Ventura, California
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Iraqi Freedom 9.1, March 2009 to June 2009; Operation Iraqi Freedom 9.2, July 2009 to January 2010; Operation Enduring Freedom, May 2011 to December 2011; Operation Inherent Resolve, January 2016 to July 2016
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two); Combat Action Ribbon; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (one); Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three); Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (two); Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Unit Commendation Medal; NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan; Letter of Appreciation
Full name: William J. Kundrat
Pay entry base date: July 30, 2002
Rank and date of rank: Staff Sergeant/Jan. 1, 2011
Home of record: Frederick, Maryland
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 2003 to June 2003; Operation Iraqi Freedom 4-6, September 2005 to February 2006; Operation Iraqi Freedom 5-7, February 2006 to April 2006; Deployed to Senegal, April 2010 to May 2010; Operation Inherent Resolve, December 2015 to June 2016
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four); Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (four); Afghanistan Campaign Medal (three); Iraq Campaign Medal (five); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two); Navy Unit Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation-Navy; NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan; Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award) (two)
Full name: Chad E. Jenson
Pay entry base date: Sept. 13, 2010
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/Oct. 1, 2014
Home of record: Los Angeles, California
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: None
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award) (two); Letter of Appreciation (three); Meritorious Mast (two)
Full name: Talon R. Leach
Pay entry base date: Jan. 5, 2010
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/Sept. 1, 2013
Home of record: Callaway, Missouri
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Inherent Resolve, December 2015 to July 2016
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Certificate of
Appreciation (three)
Full name: Joseph J. Murray
Pay entry base date: Aug. 31, 2009
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/Aug. 1, 2014
Home of record: Duval, Florida
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom, September 2010 to March 2011; Operation Enduring Freedom, January 2012 to July 2012
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three); Combat Action Ribbon; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two); Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan; Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award); Meritorious Mast
Full name: Dietrich A. Schmieman
Pay entry base date: Sept. 20, 2010
Rank and date of rank: Sergeant/Jan. 1, 2014
Home of record: Benton, Washington
Present Duty Station: 2nd Raider Battalion, Special Operations Command
Military Occupational Specialty: 0372, Critical Skills Operator
Deployment dates and locations: Operation Enduring Freedom, September 2010 to March 2011; Operation Enduring Freedom, January 2012 to July 2012
Current duty status (SMCR, Active duty, etc): Active Duty
Awards and decorations with (# of each award): Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two); Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two); Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; Certificate of Appreciation; Letter of Appreciation (three)
Original Post:
As so many news sources are reporting this morning, a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules transport/refueling aircraft crashed in LeFlore County, Miss., yesterday at approximately 4 p.m. CDT, killing all 16 souls on board.
The cause of the crash is not yet known and the identities of the service members killed are being withheld pending notification of family members.
The aircraft, which is used for carrying cargo and for air-to-air refueling, had taken off from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and disappeared from air traffic control radar somewhere over Mississippi.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the service members who died in this tragedy.
The following is the official Marine Corps statement.
A Marine Corps KC-130 transport aircraft crashed in LeFlore County, Miss., on July 10 at approximately 4 p.m. CDT, claiming the lives of 16 service members. The flight originated from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Federal Aviation Administration officials contacted the Marine Corps when the aircraft disappeared from air traffic control radar over Mississippi. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time; the incident is under investigation.
The identities of the service members whose lives were lost in this tragic accident are being withheld to allow time for their loved ones to be notified. While the details of the incident are being investigated, our focus remains on providing the necessary resources and support to the family and friends of these service members as they go through this extremely difficult time. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Lead Image: The Department of the Navy seal modified with the traditional black ribbon signifying remembrance or mourning. (U.S. Navy graphic illustration by Jason Kelly)
