Fallen Marines memorialized in Nepal

CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan — On November 6, 2015, the Heritage Room of the U.S. Embassy, Marine Security Guard Detachment in Kathmandu, Nepal will be formally named “Vengeance Hall” at a ceremony honoring the six Marines who lost their lives during an aircraft mishap on May 12. The Marines were conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in support of Joint Task Force 505, during Operation Sahayogi Haat when their aircraft went down.

‘Vengeance Hall’ will be named after the call sign of the UH-1Y Huey – ‘Vengeance 01’. The four aircrew Marines and helicopter belonged to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, from Camp Pendleton, CA. The two other Marines on board were from Combat Camera, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. Each Marine will be immortalized for their contributions to the relief efforts in Nepal and their faithful service to the Marine Corps.

Brig. Gen. Tracy W. King, commanding general, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, will join the Honorable Alaina B. Teplitz, U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, to oversee the dedication.

The Marine Corps will continue to honor the sacrifice of the Marines aboard ‘Vengeance 01’ by standing ready to respond with the same unwavering devotion to assisting allies and partner nations in their time of need. The following Marines will be honored:

Capt. Dustin R. Lukasiewicz, 29, Harlan, Nebraska.
Capt. Christopher L. Norgren, 31, Sedgwick, Kansas.
Sgt. Ward M. Johnson, IV, 29, Seminole, Florida.
Sgt. Eric M. Seaman, 30, Riverside, California.
Cpl. Sara A. Medina, 23, Kane, Illinois.
Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, 22, Maricopa, Arizona.

All photo and video products of the event will be available at: www.dvidshub.net/feature/vengeance01. Additionally, the ceremony is planned to be live streamed via video on III MEF Facebook: www.facebook.com/IIIMEF