Human remains found from air crash that killed Tazewell County Marine

Posted on June 11, 2019
Daniel Baker
Cpl. Daniel Baker of Tremont was killed in a crash between two U.S. military planes over the Sea of Japan. (Photo from news partner WMBD-TV)

 

By Howard Packowitz

TREMONT – Human remains have been recovered six months after a U.S. Marine from Tazewell County and five others were killed when two military planes crashed over the Sea of Japan.

The Marine Corps said Monday the remains were found during a salvage operation conducted from May 27 through June 7.

Cpl. Daniel Baker, a 2015 Tremont High School graduate, died when an F/A-18 and KC130J collided in the air in early December.

Authorities have not determined the number of bodies recovered, or their identities. The remains are being transferred to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for formal identification.

“We reaffirm our deepest sympathy for all affected by this tragedy and those grieving the loss of the six Marines who perished in this accident. We also would like to express our sincere gratitude for the cooperation and expertise of the underwater salvage team,” the Marine Corps said in a prepared statement.

Crews also recovered the KC-130J’s cockpit voice recorder and digital flight recorder, which will aid the investigation.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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