Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 14, 2017. It is with great regret that the Marine Corps announces the names of those who perished in the KC-130T Hercules crash in Mississippi on July 10.
The 16 servicemen come from reserve unit Marine Air Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 452 based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y., and 2nd Raider Battalion based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. They range from nearly 23 years of experience in the Marine Corps to less than two; have deployed to the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific; and come from communities all throughout the country.
Major Caine Goyette
Maj. Caine Goyette served as a KC-130 aircraft commander with VMGR 452, which falls under the Marine Aircraft Group 49 in the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, part of Marine Corps Forces Reserve. Goyette joined the Marine Corps on Dec. 5, 1994, and was promoted to major on Nov. 1, 2012.
Captain Sean Elliott
Capt. Sean Elliott joined the Marine Corps on May 4, 2009 and was promoted to captain on Oct. 1, 2013. The KC-130 aircraft commander in VMGR-452 comes from Orange, Calif. He is an active duty Marine and deployed to the Western Pacific from August 2016 to February 2017.
Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins
Gunnery Sgt. Mark Hopkins joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 4, 2001 and was promoted to gunnery sergeant on May 1, 2014. The tactical systems operator and mission specialist in VMGR-452 is from Chesapeake, Va.
Gunnery Sgt. Brendan Johnson
Gunnery Sgt. Brendan Johnson joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 26, 1994 and was promoted to gunnery sergeant on April 1, 2010. The fixed wing aircraft crew master in VMGR-452 comes from Chittenden, Vt.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden
Staff Sgt. Joshua Snowden joined the Marine Corps on July 19, 2004 and was promoted to staff sergeant the day of the crash. The fixed wing aircraft crew master with VMGR-452 was from Dallas, Texas.
Sgt. Julian Kevianne
Sgt. Julian Kevianne joined the Marine Corps on Dec. 1, 2009, and was promoted to sergeant on April 1, 2015. The fixed wing aircraft crew master with VMGR-452 was from Dallas.
Sgt. Owen Lennon
Sgt. Owen Lennon joined the Marine Corps on Oct. 12, 2010, and was promoted to sergeant on Jan. 1, 2015. The fixed wing aircraft crew master in VMGR-452 was from Rockland, N.Y.
Cpl. Daniel Baldassare
Cpl. Daniel Baldassare joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 14, 2015, and was promoted to corporal on June 1, 2017. The fixed wing aircraft crew master was from Monmouth, N.J.
Cpl. Collin Schaaff
Cpl. Collin Schaaff joined the Marine Corps on Aug. 26, 2013, and was promoted to corporal on Dec. 1, 2015. The aircraft ordnance technician with VMGR-452 was from Pierce, Wash.
Staff Sgt. Robert Cox
Staff Sgt. Robert Cox joined the Marine Corps on July 23, 2007, and was promoted to staff sergeant on Oct. 1, 2016. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion in U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was from Ventura, Calif.
Staff Sgt. William Kundrat
Staff Sgt. William Kundrat joined the Marine Corps on July 30, 2002, and was promoted to staff sergeant on Jan. 1, 2011. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Frederick, Md.
Sgt. Chad Jenson
Sgt. Chad Jenson joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 13, 2010, and was promoted to sergeant on Oct. 1, 2014. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Los Angeles, Calif.
Sgt. Talon Leach
Sgt. Talon Leach joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 5, 2010, and was promoted to sergeant on Sept. 1, 2013. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Callaway, Mo.
Sgt. Joseph Murray
Sgt. Joseph Murray joined the Marine Corps on Aug. 31, 2009, and was promoted to sergeant on Aug. 1, 2014. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Duval, Fla.
Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman
Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 20, 2010, and was promoted to sergeant on Jan. 1, 2014. The critical skills operator with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Benton, Wash.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lohrey
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lohrey joined the Navy on Sept. 26, 2007 and was promoted to petty officer second class on Dec. 16, 2012. The special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman with 2nd Raider Battalion was from Middletown, Ind.
Additional information can be found here.
Source: http://marines.mil
