Marine Corps officials on Friday, June 10, released the names of five Marines whose Osprey crashed at a firing range in the remote, soft and sandy area of the Imperial Valley desert.
One of the Marines was the son of former Dodger Steve Sachs.
The plane went down on Wednesday when the Marines were training for aerial firefighting.
On board were the CPL. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois, a crew chief; Captain Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, Rockingham, New Hampshire, a pilot; cpl Seth D. Rasmusson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, crew chief; Capt. John J. Sachs, 33, Placer, a pilot; and Lance Cpl. Ivan A. Strickland, 19, Valencia, New Mexico, chief of a crew.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of five Marines from the Purple Fox family,” said the squadron’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John C. Miller. “It is difficult to express the impact this loss has had on our squadron and its families. Our primary mission is now caring for the family members of our fallen Marines and we respectfully request privacy for their families as they navigate this difficult time.
“We appreciate all the prayers and support from the strong extended Purple Fox family,” he said, “and want them to know that more information is to come about how to help.”
Longtime former Dodger Steve Sachs released a statement regarding the death of his son John.
Sachs said in the statement, “It is with utter devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny, was one of five (5) U.S. Marines who died at the Osprey Military near San Diego on Wednesday, June 8.” were killed in the accident.” by CBS 8 San Diego. “For those of you who knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and protecting our country!
“He was my hero and the best person I know, there was no better person to defend our country.”
The aircraft was based at Camp Pendleton and was part of Marine Aircraft Group 39 with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The recovery of the aircraft is on and the investigation is on.
Although Marine Corps officials waited until all family members were notified before publicly releasing the identities of the five dead, flags were ordered to be lowered in Wyoming on Friday in Rasmusson’s honor. . He graduated from Buffalo High School in 2019.
Rasmussen grew up in a small town with a population of less than 5,000 people. He loved Wyoming’s wide-open spaces and its vast terrain and spent a lot of time outside with his family, which included his four brothers, his father, Curtis Rasmusson.
“He grew up hunting, fishing and camping,” he said.
And even as a child, Rasmusson had a mission to become a Marine, his father said. By his senior year of high school, Rasmusson had earned enough credits to graduate early and enlisted just after his 18th birthday.
His father said that other service branches showed interest in him and offered him incentives to compete with the Marine Corps, but his son was not interested.
Curtis Rasmusson said his son was excited to go into aviation and thought it was a “good” opportunity. To do this, he had to receive additional training and went to schools in Florida and Maine.
“He loved flying and when he got out he talked about doing something in aviation,” Curtis Rasmusson said. The Marines were just one year short of their five-year military contract, during their service the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Marine Service Deployment Ribbon.
Seth Rasmusson talks to his family about flying the Osprey and tells his father how the plane works. He often checked-in with his family while flying. Especially when it is stationed in the Middle East.
“He would call from there and tell us how many countries he has visited,” said his father.
Just a few weeks ago, Seth Rasmusson was on his way to his younger brother’s high school graduation.
He is survived by his wife, his high school sweetheart, and their 7-month-old baby.
The family also said that Carlson was drawn to the Marine Corps as a young man, his own father being a veteran of the branch.
“He chose aviation and he loved it very much,” Carlson’s cousin, Gage McDonald, said Thursday.
Carlson served in the Marine Corps for three years, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Marine Service Deployment Ribbon.
“Nathan was very friendly, he lit everyone up,” McDonald said.
Losapio had been with the Marine Corps the longest of the five men—at eight years and nine months. During that time he received the Air Medal with Strike/Flight 2; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; a naval unit commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal; vested resolution campaign medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and a Marine Service Deployment Ribbon.
Sachs served in the Marine Corps for five years and eight months. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and letters of appreciation.
Strickland served in the Marine Corps for a year and seven months. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Governor Gavin Newsom also called for flags to be lowered at the State Capitol on Friday to honor the fallen Marines.
“Jennifer and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who tragically lost five Marines this week,” he said in a statement. “His selflessness and dedication towards serving the nation will always be remembered.”
