Hudson Valley Marine Killed in Military Plane Crash Near Japan

A marine from the Hudson Valley is among five who lost their lives after two military planes collided off the coast of Japan.

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On Tuesday, the U.S. Marine Corps identified the five Marines who were declared dead after their refueling plane collided with a fighter jet last week off the coast of Kochi, Japan.

Maj. James M. Brophy, 36, of Staatsburg is among the five, according to the U.S. Marine Corps.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the names of our fallen Marines," U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Mitchell T. Maury, commanding officer of VMGR-152, said in a press release. "They were exceptional aviators, Marines, and friends whom will be eternally missed. Our thoughts and prayers remain with their families and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

Maj. Brophy served 12 years in the Marine Corps. His was awarded the Air Medal with two Strike Flight Awards, one Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, according to a press release.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

The U.S. Marines identified the four others as:

Lt. Col. Kevin R. Herrmann, 38, of New Bern, North Carolina
Staff Sgt. Maximo A. Flores, 27, of Surprise, Arizona
Cpl. Daniel E. Baker, 21, of Tremont, Illinois
Cpl. William C. Ross, 21, of Hendersonville, Tennessee

The deceased were assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152

On Monday, the U.S. Marine Corps declared the five missing marines dead. They were lost when their refueling plane and a fighter jet collided off the coast of Japan. Their aircraft were conducting routine training and aerial refueling was a part of the training, officials say.

The Marine Corps says every effort was made to find their bodies. The search for the marines covered more than 35,000 square nautical miles and involved approximately 900 hours of searching by Japanese, Australian and U.S. aircrafts, ships and other assets, according to the marines.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.