Marines Officially Declared Dead, Memorial Set

Marine Brig. Gen. Russell Sanborn, commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Coast Guard Capt. Jim Jenkins, chief of staff for the Coast Guard 14th District, conduct a press conference with other responders from Haleiwa Beach Park at the forward Incident Command on Jan. 17. United States Coast Guard file image,

Twelve Marines involved in a helicopter crash on Jan. 14 have officially been pronounced dead.

The incident occurred off the coast of Oahu’s North Shore. Earlier this week, search and rescue operations by numerous personnel and agencies were suspended.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marines and their families as we all mourn this tragic loss of life,” the Marine Corps said in a statement. “The Marine Corps is focused on taking care of our Marines and their families.”

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. at the Marine Corps Base Hawai’i in Kaneohe.

The memorial is not open to the public, but can be viewed online.

Marine Corps. officials invited the public to observe their own moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Flags across the state will fly at half-staff beginning on Friday at sunrise through sunset on Tuesday in honor of the 12 Marines.

Deceased are as follows:

Major Shawn M. Campbell served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Major Campbell, 41, from College Station, Texas, joined the Marine Corps Sept. 30, 1999. His deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Major Campbell’s decorations include the Air Medal with strike/flight device, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze stars in lieu of third award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars in lieu of third award.

Captain Brian T. Kennedy served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Captain Kennedy, 31, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined the Marine Corps July 1, 2003.

Captain Kennedy’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star in lieu of second award.

Captain Kevin T. Roche served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Captain Roche, 30, from St. Louis, Missouri, joined the Marine Corps Dec. 19, 2005. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom.

Captain Roche‘s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star in lieu of second award.

Captain Steven R. Torbert served as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Captain Torbert, 29, from Florence, Alabama, joined the Marine Corps Oct.14, 2004.

Captain Torbert‘s decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Sergeant Adam C. Schoeller served as a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Sergeant Schoeller, 25, from Gardners, Pennsylvania, joined the Marine Corps March 23, 2008.
His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sergeant Schoeller‘s decorations include the Air Medal with one individual action device and five strike/flight devices, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze star in lieu of second
award, and the NATO Medal.

Sergeant Dillon J. Semolina served as a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Sergeant Semolina, 24, from Chaska, Minnesota joined the Marine Corps Sept. 1, 2011.

Sergeant Semolina‘s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service
Deployment Ribbon.

Sergeant. Jeffrey A. Sempler served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Sergeant Sempler, 22, from Woodruff, South Carolina joined the Marine Corps Aug. 12, 2010.

Sergeant Sempler’s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Sergeant William J. Turner served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Sergeant Turner, 25, from Florala, California, joined the Marine Corps Aug. 8, 2008. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sergeant Turner’s decorations include the Air Medal with four strike/flight devices, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

Corporal Matthew R. Drown served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Corporal Drown, 23, from Spring, Texas, joined the Marine Corps March 2, 2011.

Corporal Drown’s decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Corporal Thomas J. Jardas served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Corporal Jardas, 22, from Ft. Myers, Florida, joined the Marine Corps May 6, 2011.

Corporal Jardas’ decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Corporal Christopher J. Orlando served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Corporal Orlando, 23, from Hingham, Massachusetts, joined the Marine Corps Aug. 9, 2012.

Corporal Orlando’s decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart served as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crew chief with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Lance Corporal Hart, 21, from Aumsville, Oregon, joined the Marine Corps Aug, 8 2012. Lance Corporal Hart’s decorations include the National Defense Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

“This is a tragic loss of 12 Marines from all over our great country and whose lives were filled with promise,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “In service to their country, they called Hawai‘i home and so the loss we feel today is like the loss of family.  Their loss is also a reminder of the dangers faced by American armed service men and women throughout the world and in honoring these 12 Marines, we honor all.”

“My thoughts, prayers, and aloha are with the families of the twelve U.S. Marines lost in last week’s tragedy.  Each Marine served our country bravely and with distinction.  Our military ohana is a vital part of our island community, closely involved with virtually every aspect of our lifestyle and culture. I join the people of Hawaii in mourning their loss,” said Senator Mazie Hirono.