"That decision reflected the highest commitment we have as Marines, to never leave a fellow Marine behind, no matter the circumstances," Smith said during the ceremony, seemingly holding back tears. "This kind of selflessness is rare, but it's the kind of bravery that defines Marines across generations."
An investigation released last month pointed to "pilot error and complacency" as the primary cause of the crash, but experts and surviving family members recently told Fire Watch, Military.com's flagship podcast, that pilots and crews are often unfairly blamed for strings of decisions made prior to tragic mishaps and despite known mechanical failures that have sprung up with the Osprey.