Two Camp Pendleton Marine Pilots Remembered
Ford, Sammis Killed After Helicopter Crashes In Iraq
POSTED: 11:54 a.m. PDT April 10, 2003
UPDATED: 11:59 a.m. PDT April 10, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- Marines and bereaved families gathered Thursday to say their final goodbyes to two U.S. Marine Corps pilots based at Camp Pendleton who were killed in the war in Iraq, 10News reported.
The private morning ceremony at Camp Pendleton honored Capts. Travis Ford and Benjamin Sammis, who died Friday when the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter they were flying went down near Ali Aziziyal.
Both belonged to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Ford, (pictured, left), 30, an Oceanside resident, joined the Marine Corps in the spring of 1991 and has been with the Camp Pendleton air unit since October.
He is survived by his wife, Deon, and 2-year-old daughter, Ashley.
The Ford family issued the following statement:
"His dedication to the Corps and country was surpassed only by his love for family and friends. His beautiful daughter Ashley and his wife, best friend, and confidant, Deon, were the center of his universe."
Sammis, (pictured, left), 29, of Vista, enlisted in March 1995 and was assigned to the squadron in the fall of 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Stacey and parents.
Stacey issued the following statement.
"Ben is the most gentle, loving and kind man. He loved flying and he loved his country. Please continue to support our troops."
 SLIDESHOW SHOW SUPPORT BOB LAWRENCE'S KUWAIT DIARY FORUMS |
Both belonged to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Ford, (pictured, left), 30, an Oceanside resident, joined the Marine Corps in the spring of 1991 and has been with the Camp Pendleton air unit since October.
He is survived by his wife, Deon, and 2-year-old daughter, Ashley.
The Ford family issued the following statement:
"His dedication to the Corps and country was surpassed only by his love for family and friends. His beautiful daughter Ashley and his wife, best friend, and confidant, Deon, were the center of his universe."
Sammis, (pictured, left), 29, of Vista, enlisted in March 1995 and was assigned to the squadron in the fall of 1999.
He is survived by his wife, Stacey and parents.
Stacey issued the following statement.
"Ben is the most gentle, loving and kind man. He loved flying and he loved his country. Please continue to support our troops."Copyright 2003 by TheSanDiegoChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
