Six American Marines killed in a helicopter crash in Nepal

Six American Marines died on May 12, 2015, in Nepal.

Two Nepalese soldiers, Tapendra Rawal and Basanta Titara, also died at the same time.

The eight military personnel were on board a Huey helicopter which was involved in delivering food and medical supplies to victims of Nepal's May 2015 earthquake disaster which killed more than 8,000 people.

The helicopter had dropped off relief supplies in one location and was heading toward a second drop off site when it crashed. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The wreckage age was found on May 15, 2015, at a location about 80 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu.

The aircraft was part of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, which is based in Camp Pendleton, California.

Tragically deceased are:

Capt. Dustin Lukasiewicz (L); Capt. Christopher Norgren (Mid); Sgt. Ward Johnson IV (R)

Capt. Dustin Lukasiewicz, age 28, of Wilcox, Nebraska, was a helicopter pilot. He was called Dusty by his friends. He was married with one child and one on the way. He graduated from Wilcox-Hildreth High School in 2003 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007. He played football in high school and loved to drive old pick-up trucks and going hunting with his buddies. Friends describe him as intelligent and hard-working. He had wanted to go into the military since he was a kid.

Capt. Christopher Norgren, age 31, of Wichita, Kansas, was a helicopter pilot. He loved to fly. He was a compassionate and caring person who wanted to help people. He was a star high school football player and studied aerospace engineering and mathematics at the University of Science and Technology at Rolla, Missouri. He joined the Marines in 2009 and served one tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Ward Johnson IV, age 29, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, was a crew chief. He had previously been deployed to Afghanistan. He had attended Seminole State College of Florida and earned two degrees. He was married with two children. 

Sgt. Eric Seaman (L); Cpl. Sara Medina (Mid); Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug (R)

Sgt. Eric Seaman, age 30, of Riverside County, California, was a crew chief. He was married with two children. His loved ones describe him as a wonderful husband, a great father and a great Marine. He loved his country and wanted to help the people of Nepal in their time of tragedy.

Cpl. Sara Medina, age 23, of Aurora, Illinois, was a combat photographer. She was a 2010 graduate of East Aurora High School, where she excelled academically. She enlisted in the Marines soon after graduation. She was engaged to a fellow Marine from Colorado. She is described as the best daughter a mother could have. She was a bright and happy person whose dream had been to join the Marines. She wanted to help others. She loved her family and she was loved in return.

Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug, age 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, was a combat videographer. He was called Jake by his family and friends. He graduated in 2012 from Barry Goldwater

Angels of God, pray for Dustin, Christopher, Ward,
Eric, Sara and Jacob and for those who
have lost them. 

High School. He was a role model to his younger siblings. He was a kind and thoughtful young man who loved his family. He was committed to the Marines and loved his work.

The military comrades of these Marines are in mourning over the deaths of their brothers and sister. They will be forever remembered.

Their loved ones are devastated over their sudden and tragic deaths. Oceans of tears will be shed for these men and for this woman. They will be forever mourned.

Thank you for your service to your country, Marines.  

Pray for all who do their duty and who die because of it.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray that Dustin, Christopher, Ward, Eric, Sara and Jacob are in heaven. Pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen.

Pray that Tapendra Rawal and Basanta Titara are in heaven. Pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen.