Joshua E. Barron

Military officials have identified a Marine killed in a MV-22 Osprey hard landing on Oahu Sunday as 24-year-old Lance Cpl. Joshua Barron from Spokane.

Barron died from his injuries when the MV-22B Osprey he was on suffered a hard landing mishap while conducting training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows. Twenty-one other Marines were onboard the aircraft at the time of the mishap. A statement Monday from the Marine Corps said one Marine remains in critical condition following the crash and two others remain hospitalized but are stable.

Barron was an Osprey crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, attached to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 15th MEU departed San Diego May 11 with the Essex Amiphibious Ready Group for a six-month overseas deployment. After leaving San Diego, the unit's first stop was Hawaii, where it was participating in exercise Culebra Koa 2015, a US Pacific Fleet training exercise, at the time of the mishap.

In Spokane Valley, Barron's mom Michelle said her son joined the Marines because he wanted to "do something bigger and better." He loved to fly, loved his job and was proud of what he did.

Michelle called Joshua her "superhero" and said her family is heartbroken by his loss but that they've received an outpouring of love. She says her son enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and with his family. He joined the Marines because "he just wanted to do something more with his life."

“Words cannot express our sorrow at the tragic loss of this fine young man. He is the best our nation has to offer,” said Col Vance L. Cryer, Commanding Officer, 15th MEU, in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the families of all the Marines involved in Sunday’s crash. If there is anything positive to relay in this situation it is that the heroic, selfless actions of the Marines aboard the aircraft along with the quick life saving actions of the civilian and military first responders.”

"We appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and support we have received as we continue to care for the injured and mourn our fallen Marine. We will continue our training, and we remain focused on ensuring that the MEU is fully prepared and postured as our nation's Global Response Force," Cryer continued in the statement.

Before joining the Marines, Barron attended University High School in Spokane and Spokane Community College.