EMMETT, Idaho — During a procession Thursday, Feb. 22, thousands lined the streets to pay their respects to the late Marine Capt. Ben Moulton, 27, as his body was honorably transferred from the Boise Airport to his hometown of Emmett.
Moulton was among the five Miramar-based Marines killed in a helicopter crash in California on Feb. 6 while flying home from Nevada to San Diego.
The procession, detailed by Idaho State Police, began around 3:30 p.m. when Moulton's body arrived at the Boise airport. Family and military personnel watched as his casket was transferred from the plane to the hearse that carried him to Emmett.
"We're out here to ensure that the family gets the respect they deserve, and our fallen brothers and sisters are honored the way they deserve," said Jeffrey Steele, U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard staff sergeant.
About 1,000 people welcomed Moulton, his family and the rest of the procession to Emmett City Park around 4:45 p.m. A brief ceremony of life left many people in tears.
“We just love him in Emmett," Gem County Sheriff Donnie Wunder said. "I mean, when he smiled, he just brought joy to everybody's life. Everybody loved him to death, and he's going to be really missed.”
Marine Veteran Tom Higgins agreed. Moulton was friends with his grandson.
"Once a Marine, always a Marine, that's the truth," he said. "He was just a treat to be around, a great football player ... a great guy."
Moulton graduated from Emmett High School in 2015. He joined the Marines after graduating from the University of Washington, where he was part of ROTC and captain of the boxing team, in 2018.
The U.S. Marine Corps said the five Marines died when their helicopter went missing as a historic storm dumped heavy snow and record rain over California.
All were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and were based at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.
The Marine Corps identified the following victims:
- Capt. Benjamin Moulton, 27, of Emmett, Idaho, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
- Capt. Jack Casey, 26, of Dover, New Hampshire, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
- Capt. Miguel Nava, 28, of Traverse City, Michigan, a CH-53E helicopter pilot.
- Lance Cpl. Donovan Davis, 21, of Olathe, Kansas, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.
- Sgt. Alec Langen, 23, of Chandler, Arizona, a CH-53E helicopter crew chief.
The Marine Corps has not said how the crash happened. They are still investigating.
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