This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cpl John McColley
to remember
Marine Sgt Jonathan Eric McColley (Eric).
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 Gettsyburg, Pennsylvania
Last Address Djibouti
Date of Passing Feb 17, 2006
Location of Interment Quantico National Cemetery (VA) - Quantico, Virginia
Sgt. McColley was attached to Marine Helicopter Squadron 464 based out of Marine Corps air station New River, North Carolina. The helicopter squadron was deployed to Djibouti as part of the combined Joint Task Force participating in counter terrorism missions throughout Northern Africa.
He was killed when two CH-53E helicopters collided and crashed into the Gulf of Aden in the vicinity of Ras Siyyan, northern Djibouti, while flying a training mission in the Godoria Range area. There were 2 survivors (Capt. Susan Craig and 1st Lt. Heath Ruppert).
Those lost were:
Marines:
1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet
Sgt. James F. Fordyce
Sgt. Eric McColley
Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large, Jr.
Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens
Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus
LCpl. Nicholas J. Sovie
Capt. Bryan D. Willard
Air Force
Sr Airman Alecia S. Good
SSgt. Luis M. Melendez-Sanchez
Sgt. McColley was interred in Quantico National Cemetery, Virginia.
Other Comments:
Eric would have made any father proud. He loved being a Marine and wore the uniform with pride. He was twice the Marine I ever was.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/OEF-Horn of Africa
From Month/Year
October / 2001
To Month/Year
December / 2020
Description All Operation Enduring Freedom operations conducted in or from Africa.
