World News

Maine native among 3 Marines missing after Osprey crash off the coast of Australia

In this Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, sailors man small boats as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 flies overhead to recover personnel near the amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) following an aviation mishap of an MV-22 Osprey, which caused the aircraft to enter the water off the coast of Australia. U.S. military officials called off the search and rescue operation on Sunday, Aug. 6, for three U.S. Marines who were missing after their Osprey aircraft crashed into the sea off the east coast of Australia while trying to land. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah Villegas/U.S. Navy via AP

By Associated Press

1 minute to read

BETHEL, Maine (AP) — One of the three Marines believed to have died in an MV-22 Osprey crash off the coast of Australia was a Maine native.

Family members tell the Portland Press Herald that 1st Lt. Benjamin Robert Cross grew up in Bethel, Maine, and attended the Virginia Military Institute before joining the Marines.

A Marine statement indicates the Osprey launched from the USS Bonhomme Richard and was conducting regularly scheduled operations when it crashed Saturday. Twenty-three of 26 personnel aboard the aircraft were rescued.

U.S. military officials called off the search and rescue operation on Sunday.

In Maine, Ryan Cross said his 26-year-old brother loved to fly and “was proud of being a Marine and of the aircraft he flew.” Cross’ parents are Robert and Valerie Cross.

Advertisement:

___

Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com