Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

Statement on the Deaths of United States Servicemembers in a Helicopter Crash Near Yakushima Island in Japan

December 5, 2023

Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the loss of eight American servicemembers when their aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan last week during a routine training mission. Since then, we were focused on search and rescue, which ended today after an extensive weeklong effort. Our servicemembers and their families are the backbone of our Nation. We owe them everything. Jill and I are praying for the families and friends who lost a loved one in this terrible accident. We are also grateful to the Government of Japan for assisting in the search-and-rescue and ongoing recovery efforts. Our entire nation mourns this tragic loss.

NOTE: The statement referred to Maj. Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, USAF, Maj. Eric V. Spendlove, USAF, Maj. Luke A. Unrath, USAF, Capt. Terrell K. Brayman, USAF, TSgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, USAF, SSgt. Jake M. Turnage, USAF, SSgt. Jake M. Galliher, USAF, and SrA. Brian K. Johnson, USAF.

Categories: Statements by the President : Helicopter crash near Yakushima Island, Japan, deaths of U.S. servicemembers.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Brayman, Terrell K.; Galliher, Jake M.; Hoernemann, Jeffrey T.; Johnson, Brian K.; Lavoy, Zachary E.; Spendlove, Eric V.; Turnage, Jake M.; Unrath, Luke A.

Subjects: Japan, deaths of U.S. servicemembers in helicopter crash near Yakushima Island; U.S. servicemembers, service and dedication.

DCPD Number: DCPD202301079.

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