Osprey-crash rescuers to get Meritorious Unit Citation

Australian Defence Force members who helped recover a US Marine Corps aircraft off the north Queensland coast late last year will be paid a rare tribute at a ceremony in Sydney today.

FILE PHOTO: US Marine Corps photo of the search activities on 5 August 2017.

Navy, Army and Air Force personnel will be given a Meritorious Unit Citation by the head of the US Marine Corps in the Pacific, Lieutenant General David Berger.

The recognition relates to an incident when a US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey crashed off the Queensland coast near Shoalwater Bay Training Area on 5 August 2017, around 4pm local time.

Of the 26 personnel on board when the accident happened – 23 were rescued within an hour, with one transported to Rockhampton Hospital.

Three Marines were killed in the accident – First Lieutenant Benjamin Cross, 26, Corporal Nathaniel Ordway, 21 and Private First Class Ruben Velasco, 19.

Today’s ceremony will take place on board HMAS Adelaide at Fleet Base East, Sydney, later this morning (update to follow).

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