FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The names of two of the Marine victims from the fatal helicopter crash in Nepal were mounted on the Hall of Heroes display July 27, 2015, at the Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Md.
The Hall of Heroes honors service members from the combat camera and public affairs occupational fields who have died during operational efforts.
“Thanks to each and every one of you for coming today as we honor the sacrifice of two of our combat camera Marines,” said Col. Martin Downie, the 19th Commandant of DINFOS. “Today, we will add their names to this wall here in our Hall of Heroes.”
The Marines, Cpl. Sara Medina and Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug, were attached to Joint Task Force 505 when they fell victim to a fatal accident when a UH-1Y Huey helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 crashed in Nepal, May 12, 2015, killing two Nepali soldiers and six U.S. Marines.
“These two Marines had the honor of being part of this organization,” said Capt. Caleb Eames, a public affairs officer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific Public Affairs Office. “ They had courage to deploy to dangerous places, and they had commitment to represent the United States and help the people of Nepal.”
The Marines were documenting Operation Sahayogi Haat, a multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort in response to a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that caused widespread casualties and destruction in Nepal April 25.
“Let us be thankful and honor what our heroes stood for,” said Eames. “They were the example of service before self.”
Among the people at the ceremony were DINFOS faculty and staff, students, and people who knew the Marines at their previous duty stations, some of which spoke on behalf of Medina and Hug.
“As a former officer of combat camera for 26 years, you have many Marines that you have the privilege and honor to lead,” said Michael Lujan, a retired Marine and the director of combat camera, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. “Cpl. Sara Medina loved the Marine Corps. She took great pride in being a Marine. You hear that phrase, ‘being a Marine 24/7.’ [She] was always a Marine. She always held those corps values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Speakers at the ceremony added that Medina and Hug were a source of inspiration for the future of combat camera.
“[Hug] really loved his job and I could depend on him,” said Sgt. Matthew Troyer, an instructor at DINFOS. “I got to talk to him about wanting to come [to DINFOS] and produce more Marines like him. It’s unfortunate that we have to say goodbye to him, but I am very happy to have [worked] with him.”
Medina and Hug not only showed their love and dedication to their job, but sincerity to the people they impacted.
“Corporal Medina and Lance Cpl. Hug have left us too early, but their legacy of service will live on as long as we remember them,” said Downie.“I can think of no better place to recognize them than right here at DINFOS, where their careers began.”