THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210315
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
A Marine sergeant was missing Monday after a U.S. helicopter crashed into the ocean near Mogadishu.
Troops were preparing to protect withdrawing U.N. peacekeepers.
Sgt. Justin A. Harris, 23, of Lucas, Ohio, could not be found after the helicopter from the San Diego-based Essex went down Sunday morning, said Pentagon spokesman Bob Porter.
Four others on board the Huey helicopter were rescued by boats from the Essex and treated for minor cuts and bruises, a Navy statement said.
It said the helicopter had lifted off for a routine training mission when it crashed into the Indian Ocean about 100 yards from the Essex, 25 miles southeast of the Somali capital.
The statement, released Monday, gave no names and did not explain why news of the accident was withheld.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT MILITARY HELICOPTER INJURIES MISSING by CNB