Marine Crew Chief Who Died Trying to Save Trapped Pilots in Osprey Crash Awarded Service's Highest Noncombat Honor
Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, awarded the service's highest noncombat award for heroism -- the Navy and Marine Corps Medal -- to Cpl. Spencer Collart's family in a ceremony at Marine Corps Barracks Washington.
A Marine officer gingerly adjusted a picture of Cpl. Spencer Collart so it wouldn't blow away in the light breeze that drifted through the Marine Family Garden on Tuesday, minutes before the young crew chief was posthumously awarded for valor after attempting to rescue two trapped pilots in an Osprey crash last year.