Three U.S. Marines killed during a training exercise in the Australian north coast city of Darwin on Monday were identified on Tuesday after an American MV-22B Osprey aircraft carrying the troops crashed and wounded several others.
Captain Eleanor V LeBeau, 29, Corporal Spencer R Collart, 21, and Major Tobin J Lewis, 37, were reportedly killed in the crash after the aircraft caught fire when lying in support of Exercise Predators Run.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of three respected and beloved members of the MRF-D family,” Col Brendan Sullivan, commanding officer of the Marine Rotational Force Darwin, said in a news release. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and with all involved.”
The tiltrotor aircraft was carrying 23 U.S. Marines when it crashed at roughly 9:30 a.m. local time on Melville Island, off the Northern Territory of mainland Australia in the Timor Sea. Twenty Marines suffered injuries in the crash, and five in serious condition were flown to a town 50 miles away for treatment.
“At present, we remain focused on required support to the ongoing recovery and investigative efforts,” Sullivan added.
U.S. Marine Corps officials said three Marines remain in Royal Darwin Hospital, one in critical condition and two in stable condition. Military officials said 17 others were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released.
The deceased Marines had highly decorated careers and received numerous service medals and awards.
Corporal Collart, originally from Arlington, Virginia, enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2020 and was promoted to Corporal in February 2023. He served in Pensacola, FL, and Jacksonville, NC, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Cpl Collart, an MV-22B crew chief, received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to military officials.
Captain LeBeau, originally from Belleville, Illinois, piloted the aircraft when it crashed. Authorities reportedly commended her for landing the plane, allowing 20 others to survive the wreck. She was commissioned into the Marine Corps in August 2018 and was promoted to Captain in March 2023. She served in Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, and Jacksonville, NC, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Capt LeBeau, an MV-22B pilot, received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to military officials.
Major Lewis, originally from Jefferson, Colorado, was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 2008, being promoted to Major in 2018. He has served in Pensacola, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, Jacksonville, NC, and Okinawa, Japan, before arriving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, HI. Maj Lewis, an MV-22B pilot, received two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, according to military officials.
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