CENTERVILLE —
One of the six U.S. Marines killed Thursday, Jan. 19 in a helicopter crash in the southern province of Helmand in Afghanistan was Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, 40, who grew up in Centerville with his family, John Riddick, Travis' father, said in an interview.
Travis attended and graduated from Centerville High School in 1990. That same year he joined the United States Marines.
Travis leaves behind his parents, Barb and John Riddick, older brother Tim, twin brother Troy, wife Jennifer Riddick, who lives in Hawaii and six children.
John Riddick, of Mt. Pleasant, said his son was based in Hawaii and had served three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. This was to be his son's last tour, he said.
The Associated Press reports the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Riddick's death on Saturday. Riddick was among six Marines who died when the CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter they were aboard crashed.
News outlets are reporting that it was a NATO helicopter that crashed. A NATO statement said there was no enemy activity in the area when it happened and the cause of the crash was being investigated.
According to the Associated Press, Riddick was a helicopter crew chief assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
The other five Marines who died were Capt. Daniel Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Wash.; Capt. Nathan McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Ill.; Cpl. Jesse Stites, 23, of North Beach, Md.; Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J.; and Cpl. Joseph Logan, 22, of Willis, Texas.
Bartle and McHone were the pilots of the aircraft, while Riddick was the helicopter's crew chief.
German Brig. Gen. Carsten Jacobson, a spokesman for the NATO coalition in Kabul, said officials were looking at a "technical fault" as the possible culprit.
All six were based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, said base spokeswoman 1st Lt. Diann Olson.
Their squadron had been sent in August to Afghanistan as part of a seven-month deployment, Olson said.
"These men were not only experienced Marines, but they were husbands, sons, brothers and dear friends," Olson said in a statement. "The memories of our fallen Marines are engraved in each and every one who had the privilege to know and serve alongside them, and we will never forget the sacrifice they made to our country and our Corps."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Related Photos
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Travis Riddick with his wife. Submitted photo
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Travis Riddick, left, with others in front of an airplane. Submitted photo
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Marine from Centerville, 40, killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan
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