Family Honored for Marine's Sacrifice in Osprey Crash

Last week, Marines visited the Collart family in Arlington, Virginia, to provide details about the Osprey crash in Australia that claimed the lives of their son, Spencer R. Collart, and two other Marines. Spencer, who had safely exited the aircraft, heroically reentered the burning cockpit in an attempt to rescue the trapped pilots, according to the official Marine Corps investigation. For his bravery, he will be posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest noncombat honor in the service. Spencer, 21, was not from a military family but had a strong desire to serve. He earned his wings on April 22, 2022, and was deeply committed to his goal of becoming a pilot. His family recalls his dedication, noting that he often took on challenging tasks and spent much of his time learning from the pilots during flights. Tragically, Spencer's friend, Michelle Strickland, lost her life in a training crash in California in June 2022, which further connected the two families. In the aftermath of Spencer's death, his family met Waser, a fellow Marine, at the funeral. Gwyneth Collart, Spencer's sister, reflected on their initial meeting, stating it was not the right time for romance. However, months later, Waser proposed to her father for Gwyneth's hand, which she believes was Spencer's way of ensuring her family had the support they needed during their grief.