James W. Speedy was a Gunnery Sergeant who died in a military helicopter crash in Arctic Norway on Friday during a NATO training exercise called Cold Response.
James W. Speedy along with three other marines Captain Ross A. Reynolds, Corporal Jacob M. Moore, and Captain Matthew J. Tomkiewicz perished when their MV-22B Osprey aircraft went down.
Their bodies are in the process of bringing them to the US and in the meanwhile, the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The authorities have claimed that the Marines faced harsh weather conditions during the exercise in Graetaedalen in Beiarn, south of Bodoe.
Who Was James W. Speedy?
James W. Speedy was a US Marine who died in a training exercise along with his three other friends. He was a 30-year-old Gunnery Sergeant from Cambridge, Ohio.
He had high hopes for his future as he had achieved so much in so little time. He was a true role model for many young candidates who wants to join the military.
James joined the Marines in June 2009 according to the Marine Corps. He served as an administrative specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing stationed on Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.
His decorations contain the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars. He is also awarded the Marin Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal.
Further, the prestigious honor of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon were addressed to him.
Osprey Crash Linked To James W. Speedy Cause Of Death
James W. Speedy was on the plane, an MV-22B Osprey which crashed in Graetaedalen in Beiarn, south of Bodoe causing his and his companions’ death.
The plane belonged to the U.S. Marine Corps as per Norway’s official statement. The aircraft had four crew members.
The members were 27-year-old Captain Ross A. Reynolds of Leominster, Massachusetts; 24-year-old Corporal Jacob M. Moore of Catlettsburg, Kentucky; and 27-year-old Captain Matthew J. Tomkiewicz of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The crew was in a special training mission in Nordland County in northern Norway called Cold Response.
A statement was released on Sunday claiming the perished Marine Corps will be reunited with their families through a dignified transfer in the coming days.
Obituary: James W. Speedy Funeral
James W. Speedy’s funeral will take place as soon as the Marine Corps Forces officials will declare the event and time.
The funeral will be held in a respectable manner mourning the deceased with a proper ceremony.
The Marine Corps and the family of the deceased will visit the ceremony which will be held on the army grouds with restricted people close to them.