Huntington Valley Marine Killed In California Helicopter Crash

A young Marine from Huntingdon Valley was killed in a helicopter crash during a training mission this week in California, authorities confirmed Thursday.

Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, 28, was among the four killed in the crash in Imperial County, California. The three other victims were identified as 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.

The four 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.

"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 cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Related: 4 Presumed Dead In Marine Helicopter Crash In El Centro

With reporting by Kristina Houck, Patch staff