Joshua E Barron

Spokane, Washington

May 17, 2015

Age

Military

Rank

Unit/Location

Marine

Cpl

Marine Corps Training Area

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, 15th MEU

Bellows Air Force Station in Windward Oahu

Died during a training accident aboard a MV-22B Osprey

From KXLY kxly.com 05/19/15:

Spokane Marine killed in Osprey hard landing in Hawaii
Published On: May 19 2015 06:12:12 AM PDT
SPOKANE, Wash. -
Military officials have identified a Marine killed in a MV-22 Osprey hard landing on Oahu Sunday as 24-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua Barron from Spokane.

Barron died from his injuries when the MV-22B Osprey he was on suffered a hard landing mishap while conducting training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. Twenty-one other Marines were onboard the aircraft at the time of the mishap. A statement Monday from the Marine Corps said one Marine remains in critical condition following the crash and two others remain hospitalized but are stable.

Barron was an Osprey crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, attached to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 15th MEU departed San Diego May 11 with the Essex Amiphibious Ready Group for a six-month overseas deployment. After leaving San Diego, the unit's first stop was Hawaii, where it was participating in exercise Culebra Koa 2015, a US Pacific Fleet training exercise, at the time of the mishap.

In Spokane Valley, Barron's mom Michelle said her son joined the Marines because he wanted to "do something bigger and better." He loved to fly, loved his job and was proud of what he did.

Michelle called Joshua her "superhero" and said her family is heartbroken by his loss but that they've received an outpouring of love. She says her son enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and with his family. He joined the Marines because "he just wanted to do something more with his life."

“Words cannot express our sorrow at the tragic loss of this fine young man. He is the best our nation has to offer,” said Col Vance L. Cryer, Commanding Officer, 15th MEU, in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the families of all the Marines involved in Sunday’s crash. If there is anything positive to relay in this situation it is that the heroic, selfless actions of the Marines aboard the aircraft along with the quick life saving actions of the civilian and military first responders.”

"We appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and support we have received as we continue to care for the injured and mourn our fallen Marine. We will continue our training, and we remain focused on ensuring that the MEU is fully prepared and postured as our nation's Global Response Force," Cryer continued in the statement.

Before joining the Marines, Barron attended University High School in Spokane and Spokane Community College.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

© 2015 KXLY.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without prior permission.

From Hawaii News now hawaiinewsnow.com 05/19/15

Marine killed in Osprey crash at Bellows Air Force Station identified
Posted: May 19, 2015 12:17 AM PDT
Updated: May 19, 2015 11:24 AM PDT
By Jade Storms

WAIMANALO, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Military officials have released the identity of the Marine killed after a military aircraft crashed in Waimanalo on Sunday.

24-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Barron from Spokane, Washington died of injuries when the MV-22B Osprey he was aboard crashed while conducting training at Marine Corps Training Area at Bellows Air Force Station in Windward Oahu.

Barron was a tiltrotor crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, 15th MEU. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar prior to deploying with the MEU.

"Words cannot express our sorrow at the tragic loss of this fine young man. He is the best our nation has to offer," said Col Vance L. Cryer, commanding officer, 15th MEU. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the families of all the Marines involved in Sunday's crash. If there is anything positive to relay in this situation it is that the heroic, selfless actions of the Marines aboard the aircraft along with the quick life saving actions of the civilian and military first responders."
"We appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and support we have received as we continue to care for the injured and mourn our fallen Marine. We will continue our training, and we remain focused on ensuring that the MEU is fully prepared and postured as our nation's Global Response Force," continued Cryer.

I Marine Expeditionary Force is coordinating the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton, California is working with Barron's family to return his body to them following his death from the incident. Eventually, his fellow Marines will honor him with a special ceremony, officials say.

From KHQ NBC 6 khq.com 05/29/15

Procession for Lance Cpl. Joshua Barron Friday night

Posted: May 29, 2015 5:01 PM PDT
Updated: May 29, 2015 11:00 PM PDT
by Liz Burch, KHQ Local News Producer/Reporter

SPOKANE, Wash. -
Friday night Lance Cpl. Joshua Barron has come home.

His body was flown to the Spokane Airport. The plane touched down in Spokane around 10:40 p.m. on Friday night. From there, he will be carried in a procession to Heritage Funeral Home by the Patriot Guard.

The Patriot Guard, made up of veterans, says they want to make sure every military member gets the homecoming they deserve, but they told KHQ Friday night that they were "heavy hearted" despite the important work they do.

Barron was raised in Spokane and graduated in 2009 from University High School. His family told KHQ the day he left for The Marines, he left them all a message that read, "Because you're worth it."

His funeral is scheduled next Friday, June 5th. Friends and family will gather to honor the 24-year-old's service and to celebrate his life.