4 Marines killed in helicopter crash are identified

The names of the four Marines who were killed in a CH-53 helicopter crash Tuesday afternoon near El Centro have been released.

They have been identified as Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, First Lt. Samuel D. Phillips, Gunnery Sgt. Richard Holley, and Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Conrad.

“The loss of our Marines weighs heavy on our hearts,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. “Our priority is to provide support for our families and HMH-465 during this critical time.”

Capt. Samuel A. Schultz, 28, of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, was a pilot assigned to HMH-465. He joined the Marine Corps in May 2012.

First Lt. Samuel D. Phillips, 27, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, was a pilot assigned to HMH-465. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2013.

Gunnery Sgt. Derik R. Holley, 33, of Dayton, Ohio, was a CH-53 helicopter crew chief assigned to HMH-465. He joined the Marine Corps in November 2003.

Lance Cpl. Taylor J. Conrad, 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a CH-53 helicopter crew chief assigned to HMH-465. Conrad joined the Marine Corps in May 2016.

“The hardest part of being a Marine is the tragic loss of life of a fellow brother-in-arms,” said Col. Craig Leflore, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 16. “My deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of Capt. Samuel Shultz, 1st Lt. Samuel Phillips, Gunnery Sgt. Derik Holley, and Lance Cpl. Taylor Conrad. These “Warhorse” Marines brought joy and laughter to so many around them. They each served honorably, wore the uniform proudly and were a perfect example of what makes our Marine Corps great — its people! They will forever be in our hearts and minds.”

Captain Morgan Frazer with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said the crash happened at approximately 2:35 p.m., about 15 miles west of the city during what was a routine training mission.

She said that the helicopter had left the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, to conduct squadron training that consisted of landing helicopters in unimproved zones.

The cause of the crash, which happened in an area not accessible by road, is under investigation.