NJ Flags To Fly At Half-Staff To Honor Brick Soldier

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township man who died in a U.S. Army training exercise in California is being honored by the state, as Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the state's flags to be lowered to half-staff in his memory.

The flags were to be lowered on all state buildings Tuesday to honor Army Staff Sgt. Vincent Marketta, who died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash off Southern California last Thursday.

Marketta, 33, had served in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom and during multiple tours in Iraq in Operation Inherent Resolve. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross among other several service medals.

"Staff Sergeant Marketta's passing is devastating to our state and our country," Murphy said. "He dedicated his life to protecting his fellow Americans, and his loss will not be forgotten. Tammy and I would like to express our sincere condolences to Staff Sergeant Marketta’s family and friends at this difficult time."

Brick Township officials also honored Marketta. "We remember SSGT Marketta and send our deepest thoughts, prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones," officials said.

"On behalf of the entire Ocean County Board of Freeholders, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta," Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari and Freeholder Gerry P. Little said in a statement. "Ocean County is proud of our veterans and we honor Staff Sgt. Marketta and his family for their sacrifices."

Marketta was a 2005 graduate of Brick Township High School, and was assigned to the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the "Night Stalkers."

The Night Stalkers are an elite regiment known for secret and dangerous operations conducted at night. They have been involved in such operations as the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden and the Battle of Mogadishu memorialized in the book Black Hawk Down. Soldiers in the 160th SOAR undergo rigorous training.

Marketta was killed along with Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton, 22 of San Bernardino, California, in the crash that injured three other soldiers, Army officials said.

"The loss of Staff Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this regiment that will never completely heal," said Col. Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). "Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a soldier."

Both men will receive the Meritorious Service Medal posthumously, Army officials said.

With reporting by Paige Austin, Patch staff

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.