Miramar Marines Killed In Helicopter Crash Identified

SAN DIEGO, CA – Military officials have identified four Miramar-based Marines killed in a helicopter crash during a training mission this week in Imperial County.

Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, 28, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania; First Lt. Samuel D. Phillips, 27, of Pinehurst, North Carolina; Gunnery Sgt. Richard Holley, 33, of Dayton, Ohio; and Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Conrad, 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter when it crashed around 2:35 p.m. Tuesday near El Centro, according to Marine Corps officials.

The Marines were from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

"The loss of our Marines weighs heavy on our hearts," Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement. "Our priority is to provide support for our families and HMH-465 during this critical time."

Schultz joined the Marines in 2012. He was a pilot who had been previously stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida; Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas; and MCAS New River, North Carolina. He deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Phillips joined the Marines in 2013. He was a pilot who had been previously stationed at NAS Pensacola, NAS Corpus Christi and MCAS New River.

Holley joined the Marines in 2003. He was a helicopter crew chief who had been previously stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico and MCAS Miramar. He deployed to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program, and with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Air Medal-Strike/Flight, and the Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Conrad joined the Marines in 2016. He was a helicopter crew chief.

"The hardest part of being a Marine is the tragic loss of life of a fellow brother-in-arms," said Col. Craig Leflore, commanding officer of the Marine Aircraft Group 16.

"My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of Capt. Samuel Shultz, First Lt. Samuel Phillips, Gunnery Sgt. Derik Holley and Lance Cpl. Taylor Conrad," he added. "These 'Warhorse' Marines brought joy and laughter to so many around them. They each served honorably, wore the uniform proudly and were a perfect example of what makes our Marine Corps great – its people! They will forever be in our hearts and minds."

The crash occurred about 15 miles west of El Centro, officials said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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4 Presumed Dead In Marine Helicopter Crash In El Centro

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