Fallen Marine identified as 23-year-old who only just got married last month
One of the five Marines killed in a helicopter crash in California Tuesday has been identified as a young Arizona native who only just got married last month.
Sgt. Alec Langen, 23 — who followed in his dad’s footsteps by becoming a Marine — was one of those onboard the CH-533 helicopter when it went down in the mountains outside of San Diego, his mother, Caryn Langen, told NBC 7.
“Alec Langen was one of the Marines that was on board the helicopter that crashed on Tuesday,” his family said in a statement. “We will miss him dearly.”
Langen was serving as Crew Chief during the ill-fated flight, his family told ABC15.
He had gotten married in January, they added, with photos showing him kissing his bride, whom the family did not identify.
Langen dreamed of following his father’s footsteps to the Marines since childhood, the grieving loved ones remembered.
“Ever since he was three, he was like, ‘I want to do what daddy did,'” his father, Steven Langen, told ABC15. “I did the same thing. I was in the same helicopter, same everything from ’86 to ’95.”
“Being a Marine to Alec was everything. Steve pinned his wings on him when he finished training. He idolized his father,” Caren agreed.
Stay updated with the latest coverage on 5 marines found dead after missing helicopter was found
- First responders confirmed that the five marines on board were killed after finding the missing military helicopter in the incident.
- The helicopter was returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar following training at Creech Air Force Base outside Las Vegas.
- The wreckage was found Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, about an hour away from San Diego, California.
- Efforts to recover the remains of the five Marines are ongoing, as well as an investigation into the crash.
The group was flying back to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego from the Creech Air Force Base outside of Las Vegas. The Marines later confirmed that all five died in the crash. The four other Marines have not yet been publicly identified.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight,” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, wrote.
The victims’ remains are still being guarded by fellow Marines while an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, officials added Thursday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that “California joins the nation in mourning the tremendous loss of these Marines.”
“Their dedication to serving our country will always be remembered,” he said, according to NBC 7.
