Flight gear adorns crosses for 12 Marines killed in Hawaii

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 holds a memorial service honoring 12 of its Marines aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, today.

United States Marine Corps representatives from the Casualty Assistance Calls Program (CACP) informed every victim’s family the following day, and now news about the Marines’ status was shared with the rest of the world as well.

The Marine Corps considered a 22-year-old from Florida who was among the 12 Marines who disappeared off Hawaii dead.

The search began January 14 when a civilian on a beach reported seeing the helicopters flying and then a fireball.

The Marines were officially classified as deceased on Wednesday and Marine Corps officers personally notified each family, a statement from the Marines said.

The two were among 12 Marines who died when two helicopters crashed during a nighttime training mission off Hawaii last week.

– Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24, Chaska, Minnesota.

Image: Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan.

Sempler, 22, from Woodruff, South Carolina joined the Marine Corps Aug. 12, 2010.

“As I look into the crowd, I can see that this tragedy has affected the entire community”, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Eric Purcell said.

Turner, 25, from Florala, California, joined the Marine Corps Aug. 8, 2008.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller issued a statement on Friday saying that the service’s priority is to help the members of Helicopter Squadron 463 and the rest of Marine Aircraft Group 24.

Two of those marines were from the Houston area – Major Shawn Campbell and Corporal Matthew Drown.

– Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, Hingham, Mass. “We will miss them, but we will never forget them”.

– Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, Aumsville, Ore.

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