This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Thomas Rudolph (Rudy/Black Cloud)
to remember
Marine LCpl Kenneth Wyeman Saunders, Jr. (Beau).
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Miami
Last Address Hawthorne, Florida
Date of Passing Nov 05, 1992
Location of Interment Hawthorne Cemetery - Hawthorne, Florida
LCpl. Saunders enlisted in the Marine Corps on 24 August 1990.
He was one of five men lost in the crash of his CH-53E (# 163064) "Super Statllion" during night operations 37 miles east of the coast of the Canary Islands, North Atlantic. The aircraft flew off the U.S.S. Guam (LPH-9).
Crewing a CH-53E helicopter while attached to HMM-261, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Crew:
1st Lt. Mark Gruber, co-pilot (remains recovered)
Capt. Jeffrey Wright, pilot (missing)
SSgt. Dennis R. Dwyer, crew chief (missing)
LCpl. Scott P. Paul (missing)
LCpl. Kenneth W. Saunders Jr., crew chief (missing)
Other Comments:
Nov 4, 1992 Lcpl Saunders was killed when the CH-53E that he was crewing went down off of the coast of the Canary Islands.
Bo you were a good friend and a great Marine. You will always be missed. Semper Fi
Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (HMR) 261, the "Raging Bulls", was activated on 5 April, 1951 at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. Throughout its history, the squadron has carried the tail code of "EM" on its aircraft.
In 1954, the squadron moved from MCAS Cherry Point to its current home, MCAS New River, North Carolina. In October 1954, HMR-261 embarked its HRS helicopters on the USS Saipan (CVL-48) and sailed for Haiti where they flew humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions following Hurricane Hazel. In 1956, the squadron was redesignated Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (Light) 261 (HMR(L)-261) to reflect the acquisition of the H-34 Choctaw to replace its HRS-1 helicopters. The squadron was the first helicopter squadron to conduct troop lifts on the East coast. In 1961, the squadron was redesignated Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261). The squadron was, by then, flying the UH-34D helicopter. During 1962, HMM-261 was embarked aboard the USS Boxer (CV-21) and subsequently the USS Thetis Bay (CVE-90) for support during the Cuban Blockade. Returning to MCAF New River, HMM 261 was deployed to the southern United States during the Civil Rights Movement to support freedom marches in the spring of 1963. Returning to MAG-26, MCAF New River, HMM-261 prepared to stand down for subsequent transfer of its colors to the Western Pacific.
