'We Will Miss His Smile,' Marine Captain Ross Reynolds Of Leominster Killed In Norway Crash
LEOMINSTER (CBS) -- One of the four Marines killed when their aircraft crashed in Norway during a NATO drill Friday was a Massachusetts native, 27-year-old Captain Ross Reynolds of Leominster.
The other Marines were identified as Captain Matthew Tomkiewicz, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Gunnery Sargent James Speedy, 30, of Cambridge, Ohio; and Corporal Jacob Moore, 24, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Reynolds, an Osprey pilot, joined the Marine Corps in May 2017. He was taking part in a training mission Friday. It was not related to the war in Ukraine. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
"The pilots and crew were committed to accomplishing their mission and serving a cause greater than themselves," said Maj. Gen. Michael Cederholm, the commanding general of 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, in a letter to his Marines and their families.
"We are broken hearted, left trying to imagine our lives without Ross. We are in shock and are devastated by his loss," Reynolds' family said in a statement Monday.
"We will miss his smile, his hugs, his laughter. We will miss his energy and goodness. Ross was so caring, compassionate, and committed, not only to his country, but also to being the best son, brother, husband, son-in-law, nephew, cousin, uncle, brother-in-law, friend and Marine that he could be. We appreciate all those who have reached out to support us at this difficult time. We pray for Ross and the other Marines lost in this tragic accident. Our hearts go out to their families and their loved ones. We share their grief and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. As well as the rest of his squadron, that now has to fill a large void in their lives.
"And we pray for our daughter-in-law Lana. She was the light of his life. They had so many plans. So much ahead of them. We are in shock; trying to come to terms with our loss. We ask that you respect our privacy, as we console and comfort each other during this difficult time."
Leominster's Mayor said Reynolds was an Eagle Scout who often volunteered to hold the American flag at community events.
"At every event we were at, whether it be Memorial Day, Veterans Day, he was there and he was always the kid who wanted to carry the flag," Mayor Dean Mazzarella said.
The city's Veterans' Services Director Rick Voutour recalled Reynolds's warm personality.
"He could light up a room. He had such a great smile. He was adventurous. He was a great leader in the Marine Corps and he just brought joy to anyone he was around. He was such a good guy," Voutour said.
Reynolds was also a long-time Camp Counselor of the Heart of New England Council's Camp Wanocksett in Dublin, New Hampshire.
"He had such a love of camp and country," camp Director Dan Megan said.
Reynolds joined the Marines on May 13, 2017, and was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Marines said.