Capt. Michael M. Quin
Capt. Michael M. Quin, 28, of Purcellville, Va, UH-1Y Huey pilot attended two years of high school in Pennsylvania before graduating in Virginia. Michael joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006 and chose it following Sept. 11, 2001, while still attending high school. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2006, Quin was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended flight school in Pensacola, Fla. and in 2008 was “winged” as a naval aviator. He was then subsequently assigned to a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron, HMLA 469, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Captain Quin was preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan this spring and was looking forward to the mission. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Arlington National Cemetery
To be updated…
Capt. Benjamin N. Cerniglia, Sr, 31, of Montgomery, Ala., and South Carolina served as a AH-1W Cobra pilot. Captain Cerniglia was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. A statement distributed to the media from the church elaborated: “The family and congregation simply request the prayers of our community, and respect for privacy during this difficult time.” Ben was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (second award), National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Maj. Thomas A Budrejko, 37, of Montville, Conn., AH-1W Cobra pilot and Executive Officer of HMLA-469. Major Budrejko is a Connecticut native and 1992 Montville High School graduate. Budrejko, 37, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was an AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter pilot who has flown in three tours in Iraq and was preparing for his second deployment to Afghanistan. He was serving as the executive officer of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 and lived in Temecula, Calif., with his wife and son. Maj Budrejko was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. His personal awards include Air Medal Individual Action with Combat „V‟ (gold numeral 2), Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 9), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat „V‟ (fourth award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Capt. Nathan W. Anderson, 32, of Amarillo, Texas, commissioned in the Marine Corps December 20, 2024 and served as a UH-1Y Huey pilot. Nathan graduated in 1998 from Amarillo High School where he was a starting linebacker on the 1997 team that made it to the state quarterfinals. As a Marine, he had deployed to Iraq three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Capt Anderson joined the Marine Corps in 2002. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. Capt. Anderson served as a UH-1Y Huey pilot. Among his Awards are, the Air Medal Individual Action, Air Medal Strike/Flight (numeral 2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Lance Cpl. Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, Wash., enlisted in the Marine Corps May 4, 2024 and served as a helicopter crew chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. He was one of seven Marines killed in a helicopter crash near Yuma, Ariz. Lance Cpl. Elliott served as a helicopter chief aboard UH-1Y Hueys. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Elliott enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 4, 2024 and at the time of his death was a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr., 28, of Noble, Okla., died Feb. 21 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. Growing up he was known by many as, Robby Bingenheimer. (a combination of his middle name and his stepfathers last name.) Robby graduated from Noble High School and joined the United States Army in September of 2004. He was serving a second deployment to Afghanistan, which began Sept. 6, 2011. His previous deployment was from March 2009 to March 2010. His decorations include, the Army Commendation Medal twice and the Army Achievement Medal. Sgt McKenna was married with three sons, the last one just two months old.
Born: December 10, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga. He was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He died February 18 when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. He entered the Air Force in 2006, receiving his commission through the Officer Training School. Capt Whitlock was serving his fifth deployment. He had been assigned to the 319th SOS and then to the 34th SOS at Hurlburt Field since 2008 and had more than 800 combat flight hours. Also killed were: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore., and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.
1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore., was assigned to the 34th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He died February 18 when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. He entered the Air Force in 2009, receiving his commission through the Air Force Academy. 1st Lieutenant Wilkiens was a combat systems officer serving his third deployment. He had been assigned to the 34th SOS at Hurlburt Field since April 2011 and had more than 400 combat hours. Also killed were: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga., and Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md.
Senior Airman Julian S. Scholten, 26, of Upper Marlboro, Md. He was assigned to the 25th Intelligence Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. He died February 18 when his U-28 aircraft was involved in an accident near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. He enlisted in the Air Force in 2007. Airman Scholten was a mission systems operator assigned to the 25th IS at Hurlburt Field since 2009. He had more than 600 combat hours in six different airframes and was on his third deployment. Also killed were: Capt. Ryan P. Hall, 30, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Capt. Nicholas S. Whitlock, 29, of Newnan, Ga., and 1st Lt. Justin J. Wilkens, 26, of Bend, Ore.