Capt. John J. Sax, 33, was among the crew that crashed in the desert near Glamis, California.
“It is with complete devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny was on of the five (5) US Marines that perished on Wednesday, June 8, in the Osprey Military crash near San Diego,” former All-Star Sax said in a statement obtained by CNN affiliate KCAL/CBS.
“For those of you that knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, bright light, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and defending our country! He was my hero and the best man I know, there was no better person to defend our country.”
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened to hear about the passing of Steve Sax’s son, John, and the five Marines who lost their lives in this week’s tragic helicopter accident,” the statement read.
All five members were based at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, officials said.
