A Marine from Belgrade, Maine, has been identified as one of the nine people feared dead at sea following an air collision between a Coast Guard aircraft and a Marine Corps helicopter.

Thirty-five-year-old Maj. Samuel Leigh went to Norwich
University in Northfield, Vt. His father, David Leigh, said from
home Saturday his son joined the military right out of college in
1996. His grandfathers were World War II officers and his uncle was
a pilot in Vietnam.

Samuel Leigh, the oldest of three brothers and unmarried, was
last home at the end of August to attend a wedding for one of them.

David Leigh said he last spoke to his son Wednesday night and
knew he would be out flying Thursday.

Print this Story