Pilots Remembered As Heroes

By Debbie Williams Reporter

A memorial service honors two marines killed after their plane crashes into a mountainside. Pilots Remembered As Heroes

Published: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 4:54 pm

Debbie Williams

The Navy hosted a memorial service this afternoon for two pilots killed when their plane crashed into a mountainside, north of Birmingham. Major David Yaggy and Lt. Alexander Prezioso were remembered as hero's, dedicated to family, friends and freedom.
An overflow crowd crammed inside the chapel at NAS Pensacola was challenged to "hold on to hope" in a memorial service honoring Yaggy and Prezioso.
The two marines based at Whiting Field were headed to Huntsville last Friday on a training flight when they crashed.
In song and prayer the two men were honored by people who knew them best beginning with Yaggy's best friend, Major William Oliver. "David was a Huey pilot, instructor,a mentor a disciplinarian a dedicate marine, officer, a descent golfer and a really bad dancer."
Then an emotional tribute from Prezios's sister, Tara Marie. "I always thought of my little brother as the goofball whose ears turned bright red when he ate chocolate and used humor as a tool to lure people into his circle. I will also remember him as a man who stood for determination, compassion and chivalry and as the marine who stood for honor courage and commitment."
One speaker told the crowd they all feel cheated because both men were taken too soon and at the same time they are all grateful they knew them at all. Before the service ended, Prezioso was promoted to First Lieutenant, then the memorial moved outside for a tribute befitting the two pilots as four planes flew over the chapel in the missing man formation.
Both men were members of Training Squadron Six at Whiting Field in Milton. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.