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They made the Ultimate Sacrifice
McCREA, John Osborne Ross, LS, C.A.F., died - 07 Nov 1971, HMCS NIPIGON / 50 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron - Son of Jean McCrea of Arnprior, ON. Husband of Marjorie Marie (nee Clark) McCrea and father of Joanne, Michael, Clay McCrea of Dartmouth, NS.
Cpl J.O.R. McCrea died when the Sea King helicopter in which he was a crew member crashed approx 330 nautical miles from Halifax, NS.
"In November 1971 Sea King 1420 suffered single engine failure on take-off from HMCS NIPIGON in the North Atlantic. Pilot attempted to return while also dumping fuel. Flight deck ready for emergency recovery but aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed near the ship. Black moonless night rendered the rescue and recovery efforts difficult by boat. Out of 4 crew members, Captain Allan E. Dick, Captain Lawrence M. Ostaficiuk and Corporal John R. McCrae lost their lives, the sole survivor was Navigator Bud Maclean. Date was 7/11 local, so 8/11 GMT. (HEG, ship air controller). The cause of the crash was never determined."
Three Shipmates Remembered - The Crash of HMCS NIPIGON'S Sea King
Ships served in:
In Service of Canada - RCN Peacetime Casualty Index
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